VEGETABLE growers and packers Simms and Woods Ltd are appealing to a Government inspector to allow them to continue operations at Chapel Lane, Wyre Piddle.

Wychavon District Council issued an enforcement notice which alleged the washing, trimming, packing and chilling of vegetables was being carried on in a building on the site without planning consent.

Phil Wears, a Wychavon planning enforcement officer, said it was the council's view that the operation resulted in extra traffic movements, including lorries, to and from the land and in, around and through the village of Wyre Piddle which was harmful to the amenities of residents, and Chapel Lane in particular, though noise vibration, exposure to fumes and danger to pedestrians.

"The unauthorised use of the building has also resulted in pressures for expansion on to adjacent land involving storage, vehicle parking and the construction of an additional road and turning area," he said, "causing visual intrusion and harm to the generally undeveloped rural appearance of the area."

The company has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the enforcement notice and an inspector will decide the issue by way of an exchange of letters.

In their grounds of appeal, RPS Planning, Transport and Environment, agents for Simms and Woods, say: "This enforcement appeal concerns the use of a building on the site for the washing, trimming, packing and chilling of vegetables.

"It is not considered that the process requires planning permission as it is ancillary to the agricultural process of growing vegetables.

In February this year, Wychavon agreed with Mr Wears that prosecution relating to the company's non-compliance with enforcement notices issued in November, 2001, relating to expansion on agricultural land, be withheld until September "to take account of the progress made in relocating to a new site in Upper Moor and the circumstances at Chapel Lane."

Mr Wears said on Monday: "That is still the situation."