Villagers in Stanford Rivers have united to veto four black polythene structures being put up on a paddock currently used for horse grazing.

The individual objections and a petition from residents were due to be aired at an Epping Forest planning sub-committee in Shelley last night.

Councillors were to be told that the owners of a smallholding in Toot Hill Road had applied to erect four 82ft by 22ft polytunnels for mushroom cultivation.

The parish council immediately lodged a strong objection against what it called industrial use of the land and said that any increase in traffic would not be acceptable.

Residents were concerned about possible noise from air conditioning units, the proposed 24 hour use of the site and movement of heavy lorries.

Councillors heard that harvesting would take place early in the morning and collection could be as late as 8 pm.

Planning officers said in a report: "Each of the buildings will be large and conspicuous in the open countryside.

"Located close to the road, they will be visually intrusive from a public place and when seen across the fields from neighbouring residential properties."

There were also objections to an application for a mobile home for the manager of the mushroom farm. Councillors were recommended to refuse permission for both.

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