A PURPOSE-built village for 1,400 migrant workers near Leominster has been ordered to be torn down after a long-running legal battle.

S&A Property's retrospective application to build at Brierley Court strawberry farm was thrown out by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The move came after Herefordshire Council turned down an appeal from the developer for retrospective permission.

After a fresh appeal last week failed, the firm now has 93 days to comply and demolish the illegal development.

The company had already bought hundreds of caravans and started building a complex for its workers, including a swimming pool and internet caf, when the original application was considered by Herefordshire Council in May 2004.

The firm was then ordered to tear down the development but appealed. Leader of the council Coun Roger Phillips said he had been confident from the outset that a breach had been committed.

"This sends out a strong message that Herefordshire will not tolerate companies or individuals who ignore court orders and planning laws," he added.

S&A Property's director Stanley Davis was also fined £65,000 for breaching an order preventing building.

When the Worcester News contacted the company for a comment it sent over a three-page response from managing director Graham Neal.

He said: "The greatest disappointment from the decision is not going to be felt by the company but by the workers, who will now lose out on the benefits of decent facilities and living conditions." Mr Neal added that the company did not hold any grudges against Here-fordshire councillors.

He said: "They have approved more applications than refusals for the company and based on this we have no axe to grind with them, but are of course disappointed.

"As the planning inspector highlighted, this company has done nothing wrong and went on say retrospective planning is not against the law."