STRAWBERRY giant S&A Davies has lost the planning appeals over its development in Herefordshire where around 2,000 pickers work each season.

Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has dismissed four planning appeals lodged by the producers.

Two were against refusal of planning permission for 300 caravans, ancillary buildings and a sewage treatment works at Brierley Court Farm, Leominster, while the other two were against the service of enforcement notices on S&A Davies for the removal of caravans, ancillary buildings and sewage treatment works because they have no planning permission.

Ruth Kelly called in the planning appeals after an inquiry carried out by a government inspector.

Ms Kelly said in her appeal decision that developments such as the one at Brierley Court Farm require planning permission. Growers cannot rely on short-term permitted development rights because the strawberry growing season from May to October is too long.

Members of the Avon Valley Residents Association, which fought the plans, were jubilant.

"Following this long awaited decision, the threat of a permanent settlement for 2,000 plus people and ancillary facilities is now lifted," said an AVRA spokesman.

"The appellant will have had four seasons of use from an un-approved development before removal by January,2008."

The Secretary of State's decision, made on April 11, has allowed S&A Davies longer to comply with the enforcement notices. The firm now has 274 days from the date of the decision to comply with these notices.

"The majority of growers in Herefordshire do a very good job looking after their field workers, who, after all, are essential if crops are to be harvested," said Herefordshire NFU chairman Julia Evans.

"In many ways you can applaud John Davies for the efforts he has put in to his workers' welfare, but things have to be done in the correct manner." A S&A Davies spokesman said: "We are very disappointed with the decision but we are currently studying that in some considerable detail to decide what the next route will be." He said it was not yet clear whether the company will appeal.

S&A Davies is part of S&A Produce, which has sites in Kent and Herefordshire, and is the largest strawberry producer in the UK.