Tuely Farm - Soft Fruit farming - Strawberries
PolWaverley Council and Tuesley Farm

Waverley Council and Tuesley Farm

In July 2004 Waverley Borough Council issued planning enforcement notices against the Hall Hunter Partnership in respect of its operations at Tuesley Farm, which lies within the local authority area. The appeal was heard by the Planning Inspector in February and a second round took place from 10 to 14 May 2005. Further evidence will be heard in October 2005.

The enforcement notices require that we remove a number of temporary structures which, they claim, required planning permission. They cover temporary agricultural structures including:

  • the polythene tunnels (polytunnels) that we use to protect our crops
  • accommodation for seasonal workers
  • a number of associated structures such as windbreaks.

Polytunnels are essential facilities because without them it would not be possible to continue commercial soft fruit farming at Tuesley Farm – or, indeed, at many other places in Britain.

We have been advised that, under current legislation, most of our structures do not need planning permission, and for that reason we have lodged an appeal against the enforcement notices with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. We have erected and dismantled identical structures for eight years in three other districts without requiring planning permission.

Also involved in the appeal is the Tuesley Farm Campaign Group, which complains that activities at Tuesley Farm are “… destroying the rural character of the area during the summer months for everybody…”, despite the fact that we have planted six kilometres of wildlife banks and margins, along with five kilometres of hedgerows and trees including hawthorn, dogwood, blackwood, hazel, alder, field maple, buckthorn, ash, lime, beech and guelder rose. The campaign group is also making misleading claims about the use of agricultural chemicals, water extraction and our seasonal labourers.

However, we do appreciate people’s concerns and we have said at every possible opportunity that we would be happy to talk to them and to the council about how we could meet their concerns while continuing with our legitimate business. In May 2004, we held an ‘open day’ where local residents were shown around our farm.

Strawberries are an essential part of the British summer and we want to demonstrate how we are helping to fill that need while using the very highest standards of environmental protection. We continue to explore ways in which we can minimise the concerns of our neighbours and want to work constructively with the local community.

If you would like to share your opinion about our activities at Tuesley Farm, please contact Harry Hall.