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New report supports case for glasshouse expansion
A new independent report on the West Sussex glasshouse industry is helping the county’s growers work with local authorities to give their expansion plans the best chance of being approved.
The report, commissioned by the West Sussex Growers Association, points to the industry’s dynamism which has made it a significant part of the local economy with a production turnover of £120 million and employing over 1,300 full-time staff as well as thousands of part-time workers. ‘Despite a lack of available land and concerns about labour costs and availability, there is still a desire and demand for expansion within the area,’ it says. The West Sussex climate is ideally suited to the production of both food and ornamental crops and many local growers are world leaders.
The report identifies a particular demand for large areas of new glass, of more than 10ha, as well as replacement or extension of existing glass for small and family businesses.
“With the increased interest in local sourcing and UK food security, there is significant potential for the West Sussex glasshouse industry to expand,” said Paul Sopp, chairman of the West Sussex Growers Association.
“The report has provided us with vital up-to-date statistics on the local importance of the industry which we can use in meetings with local government and other agencies. And it is forming the basis of a strategy document which will give us an input into the local planning framework.
“We want to ensure the industry is allowed to develop to secure its future.”
Dr Sopp said local planners are generally supportive of the needs of horticultural businesses – around 90% of development applications are approved. However approval is becoming harder for larger developments, which are becoming essential for the industry to remain competitive in an international market.
The report says that despite the dependence on migrant workers the industry remains a significant local employer. More local people have been employed during the recession, said Dr Sopp.
The report also highlights the potential for the industry to host highly efficient renewable energy and energy from waste schemes if these could be approved in the planning process.
Andrew Colquhoun, chairman of the SEEDA Horticulture Working Group, commented: “The initiative taken by the West Sussex Growers Association could be a model for growers in other parts of the country if they are to win the planning permission they need to boost UK production of fruit and vegetables which is what Defra tells us that they want to see.”
Follow this link for full report: Industry Viability Report
Notes to editors
‘Viability of the horticultural glasshouse industry in West Sussex: prospects for the future and likely scale of development over the next 10 to 15 years’ was commissioned by the West Sussex Growers Association and written by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, Gerry Hayman Horticultural Consultancy and Hennock Industries Ltd. It was financially supported by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), West Sussex County Council, Chichester District Council and Arun District Council.
For more information, contact WSGA chairman Paul Sopp on 01903 721591.
Issued November 2009
