A SUCCESSFUL trout farmer and bird breeder has warned that a valuable opportunity to bring visitors to the area will be lost unless planning consent is granted to expand his business.

Ron Taylor, who runs a fly fishing lodge at Hill End Farm, Bransford, is the world's only breeder of Indian jungle cocks and vulturine guinea fowl, the feathers of which he exports all over the world for use as lures.

Mr Taylor has been approached by a Japanese firm which wants to send workers over on a regular basis to learn the art of fly fishing.

He wants to build a lodge to accommodate them and a bungalow to house a manager to help run the business. Mr Taylor says he has problems with poachers and predators stealing his fish and his breeding and incubation programmes need round-the-clock supervision.

Malvern Hills District Council has already refused a previous application and Mr Taylor has lost on appeal. He is to reapply with the lodge and bungalow positioned differently but warns time is running out and the Japanese will take their business elsewhere.

"We've got to have a decision in the next two or three months," he said.

Mr Taylor said the regular influx of foreign visitors would boost other businesses in the area, such as golf clubs and restaurants.

John Brown, of the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said he thought planning permission should be granted and confirmed the chamber was helping with negotiations with the council.

"It would secure the growth of this company and make a positive contribution to other businesses in the area," he said.

Council planning officer Duncan Rudge said the original application foundered because of worries that the new lodge would not have been "sufficiently incorporated" into the main site and fears over its impact on the landscape.

He said he could not comment on any new plans.