Two local authorities have joined forces to buy 28 acres of land to support the development of a business park and innovation complex dedicated to food technology.
Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council have bought the land near Holbeach, between Spalding and Kings Lynn in south Lincs.
It will form part of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), providing bespoke, high quality employment space for new businesses and SMEs specifically in the agri-tech sector. It will place particular emphasis on creating a suitable environment for high tech businesses.
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The plans are being backed by a partnership made up of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council and the University of Lincoln.
Phase one is already underway with the University of Lincoln recently completing a “Centre of Excellence” on the site.
Lincolnshire County Council is also starting work on a hub building that will provide managed workspace for small agri-tech companies.
The additional 28 acre site, part of phase two, will help safeguard the delivery of the broader scheme.
It is hoped the FEZ will cement South Lincolnshire’s reputation as a major centre for agri-tech, boasting a high concentration of food tech companies, cultivating innovation in areas such as robotics, automation, well-being, low carbon and packaging.
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The existing businesses currently trading on the site, Frontier and Sands Agricultural Machinery will both remain and continue to serve their clientele from their existing premises.
Professor Val Braybrooks MBE, Dean of Holbeach Campus and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming the Food Enterprise Zone’s first business tenants to the Hub and being able to offer the University’s support through the Centre of Excellence in Agri-food Technologies to ensure their rapid growth and success.”
Coun Nick Worth, deputy leader of South Holland District Council, said: “With growing global food markets, there are huge opportunities for both established and new businesses developing new products and technologies.
“The Food Enterprise Zone will create fantastic job opportunities for our region, as well as generating an estimated £51 million of additional GVA over the next 10 years.”