THE company behind plans for a caravan village for migrant strawberry pickers - work on which has already begun - has said it will appeal against planners' decision to reject it.

Fruit company S&A Produce announced last month it was half-way through the development - at Brierley Court Farm, in Brierley, near Leominster - despite not applying for planning permission beforehand.

But the £5m scheme was dealt a blow at a Herefordshire Council meeting yesterday after planners vetoed further development.

The news will come as a relief to residents of Leominster - who have been up in arms over the scheme.

The site would have provided accommodation for 1,000 workers and include shops, leisure facilities and a doctor's surgery.

But S&A Produce has said it will appeal against the decision.

Celebrity gardener Monty Don - who lives in the area and had opposed the scheme - said it was an "historic day" but that the battle had not been won.

"Obviously I'm delighted because the people of Herefordshire have been heard. People feel bullied and threatened as it was all done without planning permission."