Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report which proposed that West Lindsey District Council made a Local Development Order (LDO) to support and encourage development related to the Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) at Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire.  An LDO was a tool to simplify the planning requirements for development within a defined area for defined parameters.

The Central Lincolnshire Food and Enterprise Zone Local Development Order (LDO) sought to capitalise on the opportunities associated with the existing businesses/premises at Hemswell Cliff and the availability of adjacent land to support the development of an ‘agri-food cluster’ located within the A15 growth corridor.

The purpose of an LDO was to simplify and speed up the planning process by providing certainty about the types of development which would be permitted within a specific area, and reducing the potential risks associated with the formal planning process, encouraging development to come forward in the area.

The LDO would facilitate development of new premises and facilities for businesses in the agri-food sector, thereby providing a location for new and expanding businesses and encouraging inward investment.  Investment in the agri-food sector in this location would also contribute to the Council’s regeneration and socio-economic objectives through the creation of employment opportunities and integration with the existing businesses and residential areas of Hemswell Cliff. 

Officers summarised to Members the types of development which would and would not be permitted, these were contained in Section 2.2 of the report.  The potential employment opportunities the project presented were also shared with Members.  A full environmental impact assessment had also been undertaken.

The Local Ward Member welcomed the proposals and indicated it had the full backing of the local Parish Council. It was hoped it would act as a trigger and catalyst for further development and growth in the Parish.

In response to questions, Officers re-affirmed that the types of business which would be acceptable would not be of an offensive nature.  Impact on the community and environment had, and would be, a high consideration. However the LDO would not supersede the usual planning application process, and such companies would still be permitted to make an application.  Linking local communities to local produce was also an important part of the project and Officers were considering ways in which this shared aspiration could be delivered, a number of these were outlined.

Debate ensued and Members questioned what the position would be if grant funding was not secured.  It was confirmed that a capital allocation of £500k had been agreed by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee. Any further financing from the Council would be subject to an appropriate business case to do so, which would also need approval from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.  Officers had applied for some funding through the GLLEP and the outcome would be known later in February 2017.  The project would also be looked at from a commercial aspect by the Council.

It was further confirmed that initial desktop ground condition assessments had been undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment. Whilst some potential effects have been identified at this stage, effective implementation and risk mitigation measures had been secured by LDO conditions and would have to be agreed prior to the commencement of development. Officers indicated that they would be happy to share the full assessment with Committee Members.

RESOLVED that the Central Lincolnshire Food and Enterprise Zone Local Development Order (LDO) be endorsed prior to public consultation