Members of South Kesteven District Council's planning committee are recommended to approve an application from the Zarafa Group concerning a 0.84ha site off Springfield Road.

The company seeks to erect a building of almost 2000 m2, which is almost double the size of its existing premises on the Alma Park Industrial estate.

A council report prepared for next Wednesday's (July 22) meeting says the brownfield site to the back of the Bairds Malt Building has been empty since a former hire depot building located there was demolished in 2005.

The proposed building is predominantly a warehouse (B8 use), covering 1152m2, with 392m2 of associated workshop (B2 use) and 446m2 of ancillary offices (B1a use).

The report says the proposed building would allow Zarafa, who design, manufacture and install temporary and permanent suspended access equipment, to expand, while following their wish to remain in Grantham.

Officers say the site is close to other employers and won't harm the character and appearance of the area. The modern building won't be out of character either.

The report also noted that in 2017 a planning application for 46 affordable homes on the site was refused due to their design and the noise from the nearby Bairds building.

In their application, Zarafa commented:"The development of this site will result in a well-designed, high quality scheme that is an asset to the area, and will provide a desirable development and place of employment.

"The proposed scheme represents a substantial investment to the area by Zarafa Group and will help to promote and support employment growth and stimulate economic regeneration to the area, cohesive with regional and local aspirations."