The site will have its own shops and leisure facilities

Fruit company S&A Produce says the site at Brierley will set new standards in accommodation for seasonal workers.

But residents in the nearby town of Leominster are furious the development is going ahead, before planning permission has been obtained.

They say it could set a dangerous precedent.

People in Leominster are very upset because if they want to put up an extension or garage they have to get planning permission Jonathan Mackay-Lewis Local resident

The site will provide accommodation for 1,000 workers and will house shops, leisure facilities and a doctor's surgery.

A planning application has been submitted to Herefordshire Council but has not yet been approved.

This has angered some local people.

Monica Todd said: "We are told there will be no problems but 1,200 people coming into a town of circa 10,000 - there are bound to be problems."

Fellow resident Jonathan Mackay-Lewis added: "This sets an appalling precedent for everyone in this part of the world.

"People in Leominster are very upset because if they want to put up an extension or garage, they have to get planning permission."

Legal employment

This year's strawberry crop is expected to be ready for picking next month and S&A Produce Ltd says it had to press ahead with building work to be ready on time.

It also claims to have the support of some locals.

The company's Graham Neal said: "Ideally, it would be nice to have the planning application in place but it will be heard shortly."

Herefordshire Council says it is aware work is being carried out on the site without planning permission, but it is awaiting the outcome of a planning committee meeting before serving an enforcement notice.

The authority is due to make a decision about the planning application next week.

S&A Produce, which already has a similar development at Marden in Herefordshire, uses more than 2,000 migrants from across Europe during the harvest season.