The number of seasonal workers applying to work at one Kent-based company is down 90 per cent in the last two years and there are fears for the future.
“From the end of June, people who haven’t got pre-settled status, at least, can’t work. “We are not talking about a few tens of thousands, we are talking hundreds of thousands of people less to work in the UK. “That’s a massive hole”. Two years ago, Taylor’s company received about 20 applications a day from people wanting to come to the UK to work picking fruit, but this year it is just two a day. “We are right at the brink now,” he said. Winterwood Farms Ltd runs more than 2000 hectares of farmland across the UK, France, Poland and South Africa, packaging and marketing fruits to retailers and supermarkets. They are the largest growers of blueberries in both Europe and Africa.
The developers hope their most recent plan, if approved, could commence construction this year.
Allan Rae, land director at Kirkwood Homes said he appreciated the feedback and comments received so far.
He added: “It is important to note that the application does not seek to change any part of the consented proposals for the hotel and leisure facilities, lodges and the Auldeer Woods Executive Housing, but only seeks a variation to the planning conditions and number of new homes – all additional units are affordable homes – to allow for the occupation of a certain number of new homes at East Mains prior to the hotel being constructed.’’