Food Enterprise Zone to create 2,000 jobs

Plans are being drawn up for a multi-million pound development that could create 2,000 jobs agri-food businesses in south Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council are working on proposals for a Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) in Holbeach. The FEZ will be located next to the A17 and A151 and is designed to support agri-food businesses with a particular focus on the food technology sector.

The development will create around 59,000 sq m of new business space. The University of Lincoln has already submitted a planning application to move part of its existing Holbeach campus to a new, purpose-built facility within the FEZ.

Councillor Colin Davie, executive member for economic development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The agri-food sector is massively important to the county economy and we want to be sure businesses have the space they need to flourish.

“We’re currently looking at the most appropriate way to take the scheme forward, including the best strategy for acquiring the necessary land.

“Things are in their early stages, and it will take a number of years to fully develop a site of this size.

“However, we’ve already taken an important first step with the university deciding to move there”.

Cllr Nick Worth, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for growth and commercialisation, added: “I’m delighted to see this investment coming to Holbeach.

“It will attract innovative businesses and create highly-skilled jobs. This will offer career opportunities across many disciplines, attractive to the UK’s brightest talent in the agri-food industry.

“In addition it will also improve the infrastructure of the area, including Peppermint Junction.”