Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Polytunnels plan given the go-ahead despite objections
‘They are not permanent structures and can easily be taken down’
A fruit-growing firm has won approval to cover 20 acres of farmland with polytunnels – despite huge opposition to the plans.
FW Mansfield & Son applied to Canterbury City Council for permission to build the tunnels at its site in Nickle Lane, near Chartham Hatch.
The 15ft- high structures – which are basically greenhouses covered in translucent plastic – are commonly used to grow summer fruits all year round.
Chartham Parish Council objected “strongly” to the application because of the impact it would have on “protected species and wildlife”.
Neighbouring residents also submitted 31 objections to the proposal, with concerns over the “severe visual and landscape impact”, noise and pollution, potential flood risk and the effect on wildlife in the area.
But in its application Mansfield argued polytunnels were essential to the UK’S fruit-growing industry.
A summary of its statement to the council’s planning committee stated: “The use of polytunnels has increased over 20 years and the industry is totally reliant on their use.
“Demand for soft fruit is now over a much longer season and to fulfil this the use of tunnels is essential.
“The polytunnels would guarantee supply to customers, improved quality of fruit, less pesticide uses and the ability to invest in premium varieties, increasing productivity and the ability to add value.
“The use of tunnels enables a reduction in reliance on imported fruit, enables pickers to work when it is raining and reduces moisture-related diseases.”
Mansfield added that the pickers working in the tunnels would live on the site, reducing vehicle movements.
The council’s planning officers recommended the application for approval as there was a “demonstrable economic need for the development and that polytunnels do provide significant benefits over alternative growing methods”.
Herne councillor Robert Jones was among those who approved the farm’s application.
He said: “As these polytunnels are not permanent structures, they can easily be taken down.
“But this is clearly a route that a lot of farmers are going down now because it’s what the supermarkets want.
“Yes, there’s the issue of the visual impact, but I think the farm has taken steps to mitigate it with high hedges.
“As with a lot of things it’s not always an easy decision and there’s a balance to be struck.”
Mansfield’s history dates back to 1968 when Frederick William Mansfield began growing apples on a smallholding near Faversham.
The company now specialises in growing apples, apricots, plums, cherries, pears and strawberries.
It employs more than 300 fulltime staff, with the workforce increasing to 1,100 during picking times.