The question of whether wine production is an agricultural or industrial process is back before the courts today.
Seven months after the High Court held that it was industrial, Shropshire wine producers David and Christine Millington have returned to the Appeal Court to challenge the decision.
Environment Secretary John Prescott ‘s decision meant that the Millingtons needed additional planning consent, and an enforcement notice banning further wine sales from Wroxeter Roman Vineyard was justified.
At the time, Prescott said: “Wine-making does constitute development in the form of a material change of use of agricultural land. It is inarguable that sale of products of wine making is merely ancillary to agricultural use of the land merely because it is made from fruits grown on the land.”
The Millingtons are arguing today that production of wine from grapes grown on their land should be regarded as part of an on-going agricultural process, and in those circumstances no extra consent should be necessary.
PLS News 15/6/99
