Europe Edition
Kettle Produce, owners of Balmalcolm Farm in Cupar, have submitted a retrospective planning application to put five caravans on a portion of ground to house its workers. Kettle Produce provides fresh and prepared vegetables, and the company employs more than 1,100 permanent staff across two sites in the region. Balmalcolm Farm is home to a 11,500 square meter factory where a range of vegetables including brassicas, roots, and salads are processed, packed, prepared and washed.
“The applicant requires labour to be present on site to ensure vegetable crops can be planted, harvested, graded and packed to achieve their customers’ orders and maintain food security within the UK,” a planning statement said “As a consequence, there is a clear locational requirement for the [caravans] to support the growth and diversification of this well-established agricultural business, which acts as both a significant employer within the local area and a key part of the agricultural business network of the wider Fife area.”
The caravans, along with a smoking hut and welfare unit, have already been moved onto the farm site. The food manufacturer previously believed it was a permitted development. However, Fife Council denied the application a certificate of lawfulness and insisted that the proposals go through the full planning process.
Source: fifetoday.co.uk
