Developers have won an appeal to expand an East Midlands business park which they say could create around 50 jobs.
Councillors had twice refused planning permission for the extension to Lincoln Enterprise Park, saying it posed an “unacceptable form of development in the countryside”.
Following a successful appeal the developers can now go ahead with phase 7 of the scheme on the A46 near Thorpe on the Hill, which will see 15 new units go up.
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Phase 6 of the enterprise park was finished in 2019, and the team behind the plans say the new jobs created could eventually rise to 200.
Nicholas Falkinder, managing director of developer and site owner LEP Developments, said: “Lincoln Enterprise Park’s growth over the last 15 years has been driven by the demand from businesses wanting to either expand, or relocate to the area.
“Naturally, we are pleased with the decision to enable us to progress with our plans – myself and the wider team have worked hard to ensure our proposals are in line with the local authority’s policy to support economic growth and productivity, protect employment and encourage new business start-ups.
“We will be delivering a high-quality and sensitively designed development, which has carefully considered its context and setting – contributing towards driving the Lincolnshire economy forward.”
A spokeswoman for LEP Developments said they will not begin construction until most of the units have been let or sold, to avoid long-term vacancies.
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Lincoln-based Heronswood Architectural Design led the original application, planning consultancy GraceMachin Planning & Property led the appeal, and landscape architect practice Influence created the landscape plans and impact assessment of the extension.
GraceMachin Planning & Property partner Nick Grace said: “This is the right decision to enable welcome economic growth in Lincoln – a vibrant city which continues to attract inward investment from businesses that want to operate here.
“The National Planning Policy guidance published in 2019 gives significant weight to economic growth and productivity, and this should be driven forward in Lincoln, as it is in other areas, for the benefit of the local economy.
“LEP Developments offer a premium product in a unique and highly accessible location and those firms that are already on the park and are thriving will be able to expand their premises and operations.”
Sara Boland, managing director of Influence, said: “The current footprint of phase 7 which is grassland is low in ecological diversity and this is a good opportunity to improve on the biodiversity and habitats on the site.
“Our plans include significant ecological and biodiversity enhancements and the landscape provision goes above and beyond what is usually expected at a commercial site – which is fantastic.
“As a practice we have supported LEP Developments since its first application for this extension and conducted a detailed landscape visual assessment.
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“We maintained our position in the appeal that the plans had no landscape or visual impact, and we are pleased that the Planning Inspectorate was in agreement.
“I wish Nicholas and the team all the best with the extension and look forward to seeing the business park continue to thrive.”
The new units, which range from 1,500 to 12,000 sq ft, are being marketed by Lambert Smith Hampton.
Lincs-based law firm Roythornes worked with LEP Developments on the planning appeal.