Polytunnels project turned down

The nursery claimed the expansion would provide 180 new jobs

Planning permission to cover 27 acres of south east farmland with 8,000 polytunnels has been refused.

Neighbours around Herne Hill Nurseries near Faversham, including boxer Barry McGuigan, had opposed the development.

They claimed that as well as spoiling the views in the area, the structures could cause problems with flooding.

The company - which claimed the project would have created 180 new jobs - said it was disappointed and bosses are now considering their options.

The nursery group grows 1,200 tonnes of strawberries a year on 15 hectares, distributing produce nationwide and employing 20 people.

It had wanted to expand production using plastic polytunnels to protect the crop and increase the yield.

In a landmark ruling in 2006, the High Court decided planning permission was needed before polytunnels could be erected.

Now Swale Borough Council has ruled it is not in the best interests of the local community to allow for expansion of the business on land to the north west of Thanet Way.

A parish council has voted to oppose a plan to build a network of polytunnels which would cover 27 hectares of land.

Herne Hill Parish Council will contest a planning application from Herne Hill Nurseries to build the new tunnels near Faversham in Kent.

The nursery group has grown 1,200 tonnes of strawberries a year on 15 hectares, distributing produce nationwide and employing 20 people.

They said the expansion to 27 hectares would provide 180 new jobs.

But local resident Kate Birtles said the 18ft (5.4m) high polytunnels would be an eyesore.

'Minimise problem'

"Our main concern is the visual impact that these will have, I don't know whether people appreciate that 27 hectares is equivalent to 68 football pitches laid side by side," she said.

Jason Davis-Baker, site director at Herne Hill Nurseries, said: "I don't argue that polytunnels are pretty to look at, but we will work to minimise that problem and we'll talk to the neighbours it affects most."

In a landmark ruling in 2006, the High Court decided planning permission was needed before polytunnels could be erected.

Herne Hill Nurseries has sent a planning application to Swale Borough Council.