New opposition to plans for massive greenhouse

PLANS for a giant greenhouse are expected to be opposed by Lee Valley Park members when they vote on the scheme this week.

A report to go before the Upper Lee Valley regeneration and planning committee recommends that members vote against the proposals for Valley Grown Nurseries in Nazeing, which was previously refused planning permission in August 2011.

The company, which already operates from the site, has resubmitted plans for a greenhouse the size of 15 football pitches to Epping Forest District Council. Valley Grown Nurseries want to use it to grow tomatoes and peppers.

The new application has changed the proposed access to the greenhouse, though it is recommended that this new route along Green Lane is also rejected by members.

The report says: “The proposed glasshouse would fundamentally affect the landscape setting of the site, as it is located in an open area of the regional park and is widely visible.

“The creation of additional access points on to Paynes Lane will result in additional traffic movements which will conflict with visitors to the regional park.”

It also describes the scale of the development as being “incompatible with the function of the regional park”.

The proposed new access would be 1,804.5ft (550m) long and 29.5ft (9m) in width, and is designed to take the extra HGV trips from the extended greenhouse.

The recommendations say members should object to the plans on the basis that there would be a significant visual impact from a new wide access road, and that visitors would be adversely affected by noise disturbance along the road.

Though there would be a landscaped bund next to the greenhouse, the report says this would not offer an “effective, reliable and permanent screen”.

The plans, which also include a warehouse and offices, were objected to in July 2011 when they were first proposed with the access route through Paynes Lane. The committee will vote on the matter today.

michael.owens@hertsessexnews.co.uk