HEREFORDSHIRE’S biggest strawberry grower has revealed plans to reduce its number of polytunnels by almost half.

S&A Davies say by changing the growing techniques used in tunnels they can grow more fruit on less land, remove polytunnels from highly visible areas and improve working conditions.

They are proposing to convert all tunnels to the Table Top method, in which fruit grows on a narrow platform raised a few feet above the ground.

“Tabletop means more plants per hectare, allowing us to produce the same amount of fruit in less polytunnels,” said Jan-Willem Naerebout, S&A’s welfare director.

“We’re looking at a 45 per cent reduction in polytunnels, and because picking would be made easier we would need 40 per cent less people.”

The plans, which would see significant changes at both of S&A’s sites in Herefordshire, were on show at a public exhibition at Brierley Court Farm last week.

An exhibition at Marden Community Hall is taking place tomorrow and Thursday between 3.30pm and 7.30pm.