Fruit firm loses planning appeal

A strawberry producer which installed 300 workers' caravans and a sewage treatment works without permission has lost a government appeal.

S&A Davies appealed against an order to remove the caravans and sewage centre from Brierley Court Farm, near Leominster, Herefordshire.

But it was rejected by the secretary of state Ruth Kelly.

She said growers could not depend on permitted development rights as the growing season was too long.

The firm now has until later in the year to comply with the order.