Go-ahead for fruit farm at nature reserve near Newport despite protests
Plans for fruit to be grown on part of a nature reserve just outside Newport have been given the go-ahead, despite objections from residents.
Aqualate Mere will become a soft fruit farm after planners at Stafford Borough Council gave the plans the go-ahead.
Rows of polytunnels, which are already on the site, which is the largest natural lake in the West Midlands, will be used to grow the fruit.
However, residents in nearby villages Outwoods and Moreton, started an action group called Snap (Say No to All Polytunnels) in a bid to lobby councillors to refuse the plans.
Tony Frost, who spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting and said it would "destroy the natural rural vista".
He said they had experienced five years of issues from the "unauthorised" polytunnels which had caused a blight on the landscape, threat to conservation and created serious traffic hazards.
After the meeting, Trevor Stevenson, a spokesman for Snap, said: "Concerns remain as to how safe drainage can be achieved without causing flooding on local roads, or risking the pollution of Aqualate Mere."
"The approval was subject to 18 conditions that must be satisfied for the development to proceed.
"It remains to be seen how the major uncertainties remaining can be resolved without public disquiet arising because these issues have not yet been seen, aired or considered, as they were not included in the application made."
The group had previously said that if the plan is given the go-ahead it could be a danger to motorists using the A518 due to the mud on the road caused by tractors.
At the meeting Councillor Mike Smith, who is the ward member for Gnosall and Woodseaves, said the pleasant rural site had been transformed into an industrial landscape and there were concerns about making life a misery for residents.
William Conaghan, spokesman for the borough council, said: "The planning application was approved by the committee subject to a number of conditions that were specified in the report."
The plans were submitted by T W Busby and Sons, who are based in Stafford, and produce around 2,000 strawberries a year. The special planning committee met at the council's Civic Centre in Stafford on Monday.
