University’s proposed Holbeach centre of excellence is unveiled

Published: 08:00, 16 March 2018

One of the images of the proposed university building displayed at the public consultation in Holbeach. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG1300318-122TW

More details of the University of Lincoln’s pioneering innovations hub to support Lincolnshire’s agri-food industry have emerged with the submission of a formal planning application.

The university’s proposed Centre of Excellence in Agri-Food Technology will be the linchpin of the Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), and attract businesses over time to set up alongside the new centre on land beside the A151 at Holbeach.

An artist's impression showing a cross section of the university's proposed new building on the FEZ site. Image: Courtesy of the University of Lincoln.

Professor Val Braybrooks, dean of the university’s Holbeach Campus, the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, said: “This bespoke research and development facility will complement the existing National Centre for Food Manufacturing, which currently serves the UK-wide food industry as a specialist training facility and is home to cutting-edge food manufacturing technologies and research projects.

“The new development will house microbiology and chemistry laboratories, a high-tech test kitchen and sensory suite, a learning resource centre, and seminar space. We are pleased to be part of the first stage of the Food Enterprise Zone at Holbeach, with a new centre for excellence to build on the quality work we do, and benefit the food sector and surrounding area.”

The university’s planning application submitted to South Holland District Council reveals the hub will be home “to a community of leading industrial scientists and their support team”, and will work to “meet the innovation, research and knowledge transfer needs” of Greater Lincolnshire’s agri-food businesses, notably small and medium-sized enterprises.

Holbeach residents had a chance to comment on the development of the FEZ at a drop-in on Tuesday at the Albert Street Methodist Church Hall.

An artist's impression of the library in the proposed university building. Image: Courtesy of the University of Lincoln.

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Great interest in Food Enterprise Zone and residential development

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