Bid to extend FEZ planning relaxation

Planning laws around the Holbeach Food Enterprise Zone could continue to be more relaxed.

Back in 2018 South Holland District Council incorporated a five-year Local Development Order (LDO) for the site which aims to bring food businesses closer together.
That effectively gives outline permission for companies to build premises for specific use on the designated land near Peppermint Junction.
It means companies bypass the first phase of the planning process, though they still have to apply for final permission called ‘reserve matters’.
Now the five years is up, the authority wants to extend the LDO for another 15 years which would cover the second of four planned phases for the site.
A consultation event for the public is due to take place tomorrow (Thursday, June 29) from 7pm to 9pm at the Reading Rooms in Holbeach.
The consultation itself is open until July 31.
Council officers say the LDO has been a success and point to evidence as one business relocating from Florida to the site and AJS Control and Automation company moving into the first building purposely built by a specific company, creating 70 jobs.
The company looks to innovate in food production with the idea behind the FEZ being they can ‘knowledge transfer’ and work alongside other nearby food businesses and the expertise generated at the University of Lincoln campus on site.
Council officers say a big investor is being lined up for phase two and hopes the LDO can bring tens of millions into the local economy.
Leader of South Holland District Council Coun Nick Worth said: “I want to encourage businesses to come into the area and that we’re open for business.
“This is about making it as easy as it could be for them to come to the Food Enterprise Zone and giving them confidence to do that.
“The progress around it has been astonishing when you consider wider issues that have happened in the last five years, such as COVID-19 and interest rises.
“Here in South Holland we appear to be bucking the trend.”
Coun Worth added that he hoped people would develop skills around the Food Enterprize Zone and then stay in the area rather than taking those elsewhere.
He also highlighted the chance for businesses to link up with the University of Lincoln and University Academy Holbeach.
When asked if the public in Holbeach were behind this, he said: “There’s still some education to be done.
“Even with the University campus, there’s a lot of people who don’t understand what it does.
“We’re looking to have public events so they can see the work that goes on.
“We’re also hoping to create better cycling and walking links between the FEZ and Northons Lane.”
If you’d like to attend the public consultation email consultation@rdc-landplan.co.uk.
Questions or comments on the proposal can also be emailed to holbeachldo@sholland.gov.uk