140,000 sqm employment floorspace at South Of Gorse Lane West Of A1, Grantham

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 140,000 square metres of industrial, storage, distribution and ancillary office floorspace, with access decided.

“This application is seeking outline planning permission with all matters reserved except for access, for commercial floorspace and industrial development providing up to 140,000 sqm total GIA of general industrial (Use Class B2) and storage and distribution (Use Class B8) floorspace with ancillary office (Use Class E(g)(i)) floorspace and supporting infrastructure including earthworks, drainage, landscaping, parking, servicing, and other associated works.”

“Access would be via a new junction forming a western arm onto the newly constructed roundabout junction off the A1.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 35.5-hectare site is an agricultural field south of Gorse Lane, west of the A1, with woodland, pylons, nearby homes and other uses around it.

“The site is approximately 35.5 hectares in area, located approximately 2 miles south of Grantham town centre, and directly to the south of Gorse Lane. To the east of the site is the A1.”

“The application site is comprised of an agricultural field with a small woodland running along the south-eastern boundary (Warren Plantation). To the north of the site is car dismantlers yard and a further agricultural field, beyond that is Gorse Lane and a number of residential properties, Grantham cricket club and an Anglian Water storage reservoir.”

Officer report

Related application

A separate current application seeks to divert a public right of way affected by the proposed site access.

“There is a public right of way (PROW) that would require diversion as part of the proposed development. This is the subject of planning application S25/1717.”

“S25/1717 - Proposed public footpath - Gran/16/1 diversion West of A1/A52 roundabout to accommodate new site access associated with Planning Application S25/0505 – (current application). Policy Considerations…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objection, while Anglian Water objected over foul-network capacity and Active Travel England sought fuller consideration of walking and cycling access.

“Anglian Water OBJECTS to any connection into our foul network from the proposed development, due to capacity constraints and pollution risk. The applicant’s proposed connection point to manhole 8500 located east of the development is not in line with the agreed strategy with Anglian Water. To overcome our objection, we require that the applicant to engage with Anglian Water. This will avoid the constrained network which could cause pollution and flood risk downstream.”

“Anglian Water is committed to supporting sustainable growth and in doing so we must continue to meet the statutory obligations whilst balancing factors such as climate change as environmental protection.”

Officer report

Public representations

No letters of representation were received.

“This application has been advertised in accordance with the Council's Statement of Community Involvement and no letters of representation have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s speaker supported the strategic employment scheme, highlighting jobs, landscaping, biodiversity gain, ecology and active travel.

What members debated

Members questioned foul-water works, wildlife protection, lighting, and whether future building elevations could include colour grading.

“Whether the Applicant would accept an additional condition to require lighting that’s appropriate for protection of wildlife e.g. bats.”

“Whether the building would be conditioned to have colour graded panelling on the roof to blend in with the skyline.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed the proposal to authorise the Assistant Director to grant planning permission.

“It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement:”

Minutes