A FRUIT grower told to scale back facilities at one of its farms has said the decision means “putting views ahead of food”.

Ledbury-based Haygrove was responding after a planning inspector dismissed its appeal against Herefordshire Council’s refusal of permission for polytunnels and worker caravans at its Huntington farm, near Kington.

“Polytunnels have been part of the Huntington landscape for over 25 years,” the company said.

“Our recent application was to add two fields to the five which have had permission for many years, to protect organic blueberries and an exciting new cherry variety, both already producing.

“Without covers, good fruit is periodically destroyed by weather – as this year with hail – meaning Britain imports more instead of feeding itself.”

Following the dismissal, Haygrove will also remove the on-site worker caravans, of which 10 of a planned 18 had been installed.

“We will continue bussing staff daily from Ledbury, though this increases traffic and carbon,” the company said. “It is ironic that a council claiming to prioritise the environment makes decisions that damage food supply, sustainability and local economy.

“Let’s hope historians in 100 years don’t look back and say, ‘that was the time they put their view ahead of their food’.”

The NFU’s Herefordshire county adviser and horticulture lead Ali Parker said polytunnels “are a vital part of the good news story that is soft fruit and horticulture production in Herefordshire and across the country, as they allow crops to thrive, protecting them from rainfall and poor weather.”

Herefordshire Council had earlier confirmed it was “considering the appropriate course of enforcement action” at the farm following the ruling of the planning inspector.

Its spokesperson added that is was “supportive of development for agriculture and food growing where there is no conflict with our Development Plan”.