A CONTROVERSIAL application to put up 24 polytunnels on a field near Evesham looks set to be approved, despite opposition from local people.

Salad Nursery, in Offenham, wants to build the tunnels on 1.4 hectares of land at the eastern end of Leasowes Road.

The firm, which has been at the site since 1971 and concentrates mainly on growing lettuce, believes the changes would enable it to meet the demands of the salad market in terms of quality and consistency of the produce.

It would also allow the company, which grows on 40 acres of land, to extend its season by more than two months. As a result of this, it says, jobs would be created.

But while this may be good news for some, it has been met with scorn by villagers. Sixteen letters of complaint have been put forward to the planning authority, Wychavon District Council.

Reasons given for opposing the plan include increased traffic flow, mainly of large lorries, the subsequent safety of pedestrians, and concern that it will lower house prices.

However, planning officers at Wychavon have dismissed these concerns and have advised the local authority's development control committee to approve the application.

Jonathan Edwards, case officer, said: "The comments from third parties in respect of lorries using Leasowes Road and the related concerns are noted.

"It should be noted though that the application does not propose a material change in the use of the land.

"The tunnels will, however, lengthen the growing season and allow an expansion of production. It is considered reasonable to expect that this may result in more lorries, but the increase is likely to be explained in terms of extended times of year and not in terms of daily increases.

"It is therefore my view that permission should be approved."

Councillors on the development control committee will make their decision at a meeting at the council's headquarters in Per-shore next Thursday, January 26.