Farm loses appeal over caravans

The accommodation is for seasonal workers

A fruit producer has lost a long legal battle over accommodation and facilities for migrant workers.

S&A Davies lost its Court of Appeal bid to keep 300 caravans erected at Brierley Court Farm, near Leominster, without planning permission in 2004.

It has begun dismantling the caravans after losing a High Court bid to get an injunction against Herefordshire Council taking enforcement action.

The council said it was completely vindicated by the decision.

Herefordshire Council's enforcement order also required S&A Davies to remove a sewage treatment works and amenity buildings at the farm.

'Clear camp'

After the High Court decision earlier this month, the firm pledged to put up temporary structures and take its fight to the European Court of Human Rights.

However, the council's head of legal services, Kevin O' Keefe, said that Court of Appeal judges had criticised the length of time the firm had been fighting the case and he believed "effectively, that's the end of the story".

"They have already taken down the utility block at the farm and the way is now forward for the council to carry out its enforcement process on the remaining apparatus," he added.

Two secretaries of state had also ordered the removal of the accommodation and facilities.

After losing its High Court bid for an injunction, S&A Davies said it would do "everything it can to clear the camp as soon as practically possible".

"S&A will however continue the legal process against Herefordshire Council through the European courts," its statement said.