A huge new greenhouse covering land equivalent to 18 football pitches partially opened on Friday (May 20).

Capable of growing millions of tomatoes and sweet peppers every year, the 24 acre glasshouse at Valley Grown Nurseries (VGN) in Paynes Lane, Nazeing, is the largest addition to the Lea Valley since the 1950s.

The opening comes after a lengthy legal battle between the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and VGN owners, brothers Vince and Jimmy Russo.

The park authority had raised concerns that the development would negatively affect the green belt and wildlife in the rural area, but VGS successfully overcame the challenge.

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Meurig Raymond was at the opening today.

He said: “Self-sufficiency in the horticultural industry has fallen for a number of years.

“We now import four out of every five tomatoes eaten in this country, at a time when the public is actively seeking to buy quality British produce.

“There is tremendous scope to grow more salad crops to meet public demand, but modern agriculture and horticulture require investment in modern buildings and modern facilities.

“That’s why this new development is so welcome… I hope we will see more schemes like this in the future.”

The Lea Valley has about 300 acres of specialist glasshouses, where growers produce 80 million cucumbers and 70 million sweet peppers every year, as well as other salad crops.

The crops grown will mainly be sold to supermarket Waitrose, as well as other smaller shops.

Lee Stiles, NFU secretary of the Lea Valley Growers Association, said: “The Lea Valley had the highest concentration of glasshouses in the world in the 1950s but the growing area has since declined by 80 per cent.

“We have a great opportunity to grow more local food, reduce food imports and create local jobs through glasshouse expansion in the Lea Valley, and developments like this will help ensure the area has a viable future.”

After getting planning permission for the greenhouse in 2014, VGN faced the challenge from the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, with the unsuccessful case going to the High Court and then the Court of Appeal.

Jimmy Russo thanked the NFU and Lea Valley Growers Association for their financial support and dedication during the process.

“After several years of uncertainty, and huge financial costs, we are delighted that Epping Forest District Council has been fully justified in granting planning permission for this scheme.

He added: “It’s great news that the challenge has been dismissed and we can now get on with growing fantastic food.”