Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council have announced the acquisition of a 28 acre site on the north west of Holbeach.

The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) is a pioneering development which is being delivered by a partnership consisting of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council and the University of Lincoln.

Its vision is to create 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 developing technology to evolve the vital process of food production.

The additional 28 acre site, part of phase two, is strategically important in safeguarding the delivery of this prestigious development which will generate employment opportunities and investment to the area.

It will provide the scale of development needed to ensure that the agri-food sector, so fundamental to this local economy, can flourish by creating high quality business space.

Field with building site

Phase one of the scheme is already progressing well with the University of Lincoln recently completing a brand new “Centre of Excellence” on the site.

In addition Lincolnshire County Council is commencing work on the construction of a ‘Hub’ building that will provide managed workspace for small companies in the Agri-Tech sector.

The FEZ is gaining national recognition as providing an ideal environment for companies involved in innovation for the food sector; providing bespoke facilities and a hub for R&D and collaboration.

The FEZ will cement South Lincolnshire’s reputation as a major centre for agri-tech, boasting a high concentration of cutting-edge companies, cultivating innovation in areas such as robotics, automation, well-being, low carbon and packaging.

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.