Wildflower seed firm gets permission to set up new site in Wigtoft after having Boston lease terminated

A wildflower seed firm has been given permission to begin preparing a new site for business - after learning its current lease ends later this year.

Growing Wild has been given the green light to install cabins, storage containers and polytunnels on land in Wigtoft.

The business has operated on Sibsey Road next to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital since 1998.

However the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, which owns the land, has terminated the lease and Growing Wild must vacate the site by November 30.

Permission to erect cabins, storage containers and polytunnels on the Washdike Drove site was granted by Boston Borough Council.

“The proposal will augment the operation of a successful existing local business in an appropriate location and the principle of development is sound,” the BBC planning officer’s report said.

“It is not likely to have adverse impacts on private or public amenity, and there is safe highway access.”

A letter written by Growing Wild managing director David Jenkins said: “We would like to replicate the building from where we currently operate by placing two (cabin) buildings for our office and tearoom facilities for our five staff.”

Mr Jenkins added two 20 foot shipping containers are planned to be placed near the buildings for storage, along with two polytunnels for seed drying purposes.

“We are one of the largest producers of wildflower seeds in the country, supplying the national seed companies on a wholesale basis” Mr Jenkins’ letter continued.

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“We handle every process from seed to seed. Sowing seeds, raising plants, planting them into the field, maintaining them until harvest.

“We then dry the seeds in our polytunnels and green houses before cleaning and packing them for sale.”

Growing Wild went into business when Boston-based Johnson seeds went into receivership in 1998.