The owners of Thanet Earth have submitted a planning application for a fourth greenhouse, costing £17m, on its existing site in Kent.

The new greenhouse - which will be dedicated to growing tomatoes - is expected to turn its first crop in early 2013. Thanet Earth hopes to begin construction this summer if the amendments it has requested to its original planning permission are approved.

“Through the winter in particular, to be able to offer UK-grown tomatoes which far exceed the quality that the finest growers in ‘seasonal’ areas of Europe can offer makes the Thanet Earth proposition unique,” said Chris Mack, executive chairman of Fresca Group.

He said UK shoppers were clamouring for food grown locally, meaning Thanet Earth crops were fulfilling a very real demand.

Fresca will control the greenhouse as a joint venture with A&A, Kaaij UK and Rainbow, the growers that together own Thanet Earth. There are plans for a total of seven greenhouses in the long term.