The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A planning application for four static homes to house seasonal migrant workers has been recommended to be passed by council officers.
The application by E M Coles Farms at Small Drove Lane in West Pinchbeck is for four static homes that will enable “the business to increase their seasonal migrant workforce by 12 people”.
SHDC officers recommend the plans be authorised for a temporary three-year time scale, after which the static caravans “shall be removed from the site at or before three years from the date of this permission and the site restored to its former condition”.
“Permission has been granted on the grounds of an essential agricultural need.”
The condition, the report states, is imposed in accordance of Policy 1 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan.
The report states: “The site is not located within any settlement boundary as set out in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan and is therefore classed as being in the countryside in planning policy terms.”
The report states the applicant is to provide for the migrant workers: “laundry facilities, bicycles and weekly transport to shops or leisure activities.”
The report states that the farm currently employs agency staff from the likes of King’s Lynn and Wisbech “due to a lack of local workers and migrant labour to directly employ”.
The application will be discussed by the South Holland District Council Planning Committee on January 15.
