Permission has been granted to an Angus fruit harvesting farm through caravans to support its seasonal staff for the next five years, after months of uncertainty throughout the industry.
West Scryne Farm of WH Porter, near Carnoustie, received a transitional construction permit from the Angus Council for 11 caravans that will be occupied by seasonal staff between January 31 and November 30.
There comes an era of turbulence for the fruit harvesting industry, which, like so many other shops, has been threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the beginning of the outbreak earlier this year, local citizens were asked to help Tayside farms ensure that enough fruit was collected and delivered to stores.
Many farmers have expressed fear that thousands of tons of fruit will rot in the fields if coronavirus restrictions cause a shortage of berry harvesters: in more than two decades, about 80% of workers of Scottish red fruit farmers come from abroad.
For example, John Laird of Cairnie Fruit Farm in Cupar stated that he had not hired a local picker since 2000, and claimed that most of his transient workforce came here from Bulgaria and Romania, saying he was “desperate” for pickers in the start of the confinement . .
Each caravan will have five beds spread over 3 bedrooms, as well as a break room and a common living area.
In approving the application, Angus City Council stated that caravans will only take care of the caravans temporarily and that no one will remain there between December 1 and January 30.
In January and February of each year, staff staying in caravans will build polyethylene tunnels to cover fruit plants; in those two months, 10 employees are expected to remain on site.
From March to mid-November, staff will pick up and pack the fruit, and the 11 caravans are expected to be complete at this stage.
In its resolution communication, the city council stated: “The proposal is in line with the progression plan because it is compatible with the location criteria known in the plan and because it does not give unacceptable effects on amenities, the plant and built environment, road protection or infrastructure issue to conditions.
“There are no considerations that justify the refusal of the building permit against what is provided for in the progression plan. “
In the next two months, the farm will have to respond to city council planners to show that the domain where the caravans are located is available for emergency vehicles.
The farm must also submit proposals on how it will carry out normal inspections, maintenance and conservation of caravans.
The caravans have already been on the farm for several years, however, after their previous building permit expired in July this year, the farm was forced to reapply for permission to make plans for the bosses for the next five years.
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