Environmental legislation change sees polytunnels to be used in natural areas

Polytunnels will be allowed to be used in areas of outstanding natural beauty, according to an environmental legislation ruling.

Last week, the Court of Appeal decided that the cover - a rounded plastic roof to develop plant growth - will be used in the Wye Valley, despite receiving a lot of criticism for its physical appearance.

Conservation group the Wye Valley Action Association (WVAA) opposed Herefordshire Council's decision to grant planning permission for polytunnels to be installed at Homme Farm, saying they were responsible for "landscape blight".

However, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the local authority, stating that an environmental impact assessment was not necessary as the land was already used to harvest soft fruit and arable crops.

Speaking after the environmental legislation ruling, a spokeswoman for the Soil Association stated that the use of polytunnels "should be limited in areas of natural beauty".

However, it was noted that they can also be a "useful way of increasing productivity and extending the UK growing season".

Posted by Joseph Hutton