A HIGH Court ruling stating that large scale covering of the countryside in polytunnels will require planning permission has been met with disappointment by the Worcestershire Country Land and Business Association.

The association, which aims to safeguard the interests of those responsible for land, property and business, believes the impact of the judgement will hit the farmers hard.

David Price of the Worcestershire CLA said: "We are very disappointed by the High Court's judgment, not least because there is no doubt that the horticultural sector will be hit very badly.

"Let's not forget that polytunnels allow British growers to remain competitive in the face of global imports. They reduce the impact on the crops of extreme weather conditions and allow the extended production of soft fruit and salad crops to meet all-year-round consumer demand."

He said that polytunnels also help to grow fruit and vegetables with lower levels of carbon than those imported into the UK and have a beneficial effect on the environment by reducing the amount of chemicals added into the produce.

Despite the ruling, he said that the CLA will be encouraging its affected members to continue to work with the planning system at all levels to ensure authorities understand the need for polytunnels.

He added that the CLA is examining the details of the judgment to see if it only applies to big polytunnels rather than mobile constructions, and will inform its members accordingly.