FRUIT farmer Angus Davison will brief Newent town councillors over controversial plans to retain the use of polytunnels.

Individual town councillors have already met with residents to discuss their concerns about the polytunnels at Newtown Farm.

At a meeting on Monday, councillors discussed an invitation from Mr Davison, of Haygrove Ltd, of Ledbury, for talks. They agreed to "without prejudice" discussions saying it was important to hear both sides.

Mr Davison is shortly planning to seek permission to renew the use of polytunnels from Forest of Dean District Council. He uses them to produce soft fruit crops and lilies and employs more than 60 full-time people.

Issues likely to be discussed include the effect on the landscape and the use of foreign fruit pickers.

This week, polytunnel protester Chris Wooldridge said he hoped further restrictions would be put in place.

He said Mr Davison had followed guidelines agreed three years ago with the district council, that no tunnels should come within 50m of homes on Tewkesbury Road.

But he continued: "Three years is up and the situation has been looked at and we would like to see a reduction in scale.

"There are 200 acres of polythene right in front of our own eyes. It's a huge visual scar on the landscape."

In 2002, during a storm, several homes on Tewkesbury Road were wrapped in huge sheets of polythene that had broken away.

Mr Wooldridge said there had been no repeat but a new concern was water run-off from the polytunnels.

He said there had been floods in the road and added: "Polytunnels act like giant umbrellas."

In October, Tewkesbury Road Action Group raised concerns that the run-off was eroding the road and bank near Lancaster Terrace.

n Newent Town Council has raised no objection to plans for a polytunnel at Roses Country Fayre, Ledbury Road. The firm has applied to Forest of Dean District Council for permission.