PLANS to build a village for strawberry pickers on the outskirts of Leominster have been refused by councillors.

S&A Davies planned to provide accommodation for 2,100 migrant workers at Arrow Fisheries, part of Brierley Court Farm, in the form of caravans and metal pods.

Members criticised the size of the development and said the application did not demonstrate why the village was needed.

Councillor June French said: “It is like dropping a campus in the countryside.

“Leominster is not against people coming here to work but not at any price.”

Coun French said the company had not demonstrated a need for the development.