MAJOR plans to develop fruit-growing polytunnels over more than 30 acres of farmland have sparked fears of an increase in flooding.

Agri Fruit Ltd wants to expand its business at Folley Farm, in North Petherton, so it can provide millions of strawberries to supermarket chain Aldi.

The company, which produces 500 tonnes of strawberries a year, wants 180 temporary polytunnels, an irrigation pond and five mobile homes for staff on the site.

Sedgemoor District Council will meet next Tuesday to discuss the proposals which will create 60 new full and part-time jobs if given the go-ahead.

Rob Latham, clerk to North Petherton Town Council, has told planners the site is already a “significant cause of flooding in the area.”

He said: “The culvert under the A38 cannot cope with the run off from the existing tunnels and any additional development will make matters worse.

“The council is also concerned about the lack of facilities on site, the absence of proposals to meet obligations to the local labour force and the obstruction to the public footpath going across the site.”

The company said in its planning statement to Sedgemoor District Council that it employs 100 people and that some of the fruit produced goes to local shops. The majority is transported by lorry to distribution centres in the South West.

Andrew Staniland, buying director for Aldi, said: “We have a contract in place to sell all of the strawberries currently produced on the farm. Aldi will also take and need the increased volume of strawberries that the farm expansion will provide.

Over the last six years the business has increased production through improving growing techniques, strawberry varieties, and improved agronomy and management. If the expansion goes ahead, the business will grow up to 1,000 tonnes of strawberries per year.

Plans also include a surface water management plan.

The planning statement said: “In summary, the proposals are to implement standard practices to capture rainwater in order to recycle it through an open reservoir so that as much rain water as possible can be captured and used for irrigation.

“The polytunnels will not be covered in plastic during the winter months mitigating issues during periods of highest rainfall. The proposed development is a sustainable proposal that will not create any surface water run off.

“The new jobs will be advertised locally to provide opportunities for anyone to apply.”

Sedgemoor District Council recommends approval for the plan subject to a number of conditions.