Decision details

1)      Note the results of public consultation;

2)      Note the background reports, including the Monitoring Report showing progress on delivery on site over the first five years;

3)      Endorse the proposed minor changes to the Order and agree to extend the timeframe to the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone Local Development Order for a further 15 years; and

4)      Agree to adopt the Order

The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone at Holbeach has developed significantly over the past five years.  In addition to the provision of essential infrastructure, this including the spur road, distributer road and pumping station, development totalling 4,000 square metres has already taken place on site.  A further 1,700 square metres of small business units are in the pipeline.  The Centre of Excellence in Agri-food Technology, part of the University of Lincoln, is operational as are both Lincolnshire County Council’s ‘Hub’ building and the base of local company, AJS.

The existing site-wide LDO has proven to be a valuable planning tool which provides certainty to the Agri-Food sector.  Its effect is essentially to grant planning permission in advance for a range of Agri-Food uses.  It also grants consent in advance for essential infrastructure and site preparation works.  This enables developers to proceed with certainty, whilst the Council retains control over the siting and appearance of the buildings themselves.

Given its success to date, the straightforward recommendation is to extend the LDO for a further period of 15 years to facilitate development of the whole of the allocated prestige employment site known as the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone.  The rationale remains to stimulate growth, promote the Agri-Food industry locally and beyond, and facilitate the development of innovation and technology within the Agri-Food sector given the emerging cluster of on-site food and science related uses framed around the presence of Lincoln University.

Do nothing – This is not recommended as it would hamper the continued delivery of the expected benefits of further economic investment and development on an important prestige employment site. It would also hamper the aims of continuing to promote the wider benefits of the Agri-Food sector both within South Holland and beyond.

There are none.