A MASSIVE 20-acre glasshouse construction, the size of nine football pitches, could go up in Lower Moor if district councillors give the plans the go-ahead.

The proposal for Spring Hill Farm, submitted by Evesham Vale Growers, also includes a new access road leading onto the A44 and a reservoir.

If Wychavon District Council accepts the application the company may also move their offices onto the site, build a modern pack house complex for tomatoes and employ about 80 extra staff.

Clerk to Fladbury Parish Council Richard Coles said a public meeting is to be held in the village hall next Wednesday at 7.30pm. "Parish councillors have expressed concern about the sheer size and height of the buildings and also the possibility of additional traffic on the A44, which is already a problem. Fears were also expressed that the site could grow in the future and that it could effectively join up two villages."

Chris Roberts, clerk to neighbouring Hill and Moor Parish Council, said that the application would be discussed at the parish's AGM tonight. "There is a feeling it will cause a lot of problems on the A44 and we will do everything we can to support Fladbury Parish Council, however they decide to deal with this matter."

Spokesman for the company David Shepherd said the development was planned to meet the growing demand for Vale of Evesham produce, particularly from supermarkets. "It will lessen the reliance on imported products and provide continued security for the market gardening industry in the Vale.

"The application has given consideration to any adverse effects upon the adjoining villages of Fladbury and Lower Moor. The location of the proposed site, within the 650-acre farm and with access from the A44, was chosen with the local environment, the landscape and our neighbours in mind.

"It is our intention to re-locate the existing pack house at Springhill Farm to adjoin the greenhouse project with access from the A44," he added.

Gill Collin, head of planning at Wychavon, said she anticipated a lot of local response over the forthcoming consultation period. "I think the main issues will be the visual impact of the development and the traffic and highway implications." Following the period of consultation Wychavon's development control committee will rule on the application.