A new greenhouse, which has been described as, ‘largest naturally lit vertical farm in Britain’ has begun production in Offenham in Worcestershire, and its operators claim it is the first of 40 such facilities which are planned.
The 1.3 ah farm grows pak choi and lettuce in vertical towers but unlike other ‘indoor farms’ it uses only natural lighting. Scottish-based Shockingly Fresh developed the facility with Valefresco, and says it is also capable of growing other leafy greens, herbs and even strawberries.
Company development director Nick Green told The Guardian, “Production isn’t completely linear as it would be in a fully-lit vertical farm, but we do match the consumption pattern of people – people don’t eat as much lettuce in winter as they do in summer.” Therefore, fruit such as strawberries could be grown in the colder months.
“It is ultimately better for the environment. I can’t say it’s carbon-neutral, but it isn’t as carbon-hungry as an LED vertical farm would be,” Green added.