The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A fresh way of growing tomatoes in the UK could be on its way to Crowland.
If it goes ahead, the move would create 70 full-time jobs and lead to production of a fruit normally imported from warmer climates.
Plans for five hectares of special greenhouse at Decoy Farm, along with a biomass boiler and packhouse have been drawn up for Evolve Growing Solutions Ltd.
Instead of glass, the structures would utilise Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), which transmits more light than glass, does not break down over its lifetime and is reusable.
A system which extracts C02 from the combustion of biomass – already on site – would be a first for the UK.
Planning consultant Robert Doughty Consultancy says the project will become the benchmark of what is achievable in the UK and the EU growing models for sustainable, nutritious, safe, locally-produced production for many years to come.
The Sleaford firm said: “The proposed greenhouse development…represents the most sustainable growing operation possible in commercial horticulture worldwide.
“The project is possible due to the closing of the circles with the other technologies on site, thus enabling a truly holistic approach to food production to be achieved.
“The project brings together a number of key technologies and growing strategies in order to fully achieve a sustainable ‘Waste to Energy to Food’ model of production, which is more profitable than conventional operations.
“Although each element of the project is based on tried and tested technologies and developments from around the world, they have never been put together in such a complete system before.”
The hope is for the first crop from the site to be in winter 2017. The plan is with South Holland District Council for determination.
