A scheme to make concrete blocks in a village near Grantham promises to create 35 jobs.

The scheme to change the use of 4.2ha of land from storage to create the factory comes before members of the planning committee of South Kesteven District Council later this month since it is classed as a 'Major Application.'

Leeds-based Geo Quarries (Colsterworth) Ltd seek to build on land south of the A151 and east of the A1. The site is to the rear (south) of a lorry park (Colsterworth Truck Stop) and to the north of Twyford Woods and former RAF North Witham.

A report prepared by SKDC planning staff for the September 30 meeting says the site is previously developed land, with hardstanding across the site.

It said: "The proposal is for the construction and operation of a concrete block manufacturing facility.

"The applicant (Geo Quarries) operates a quarry at Little Ponton to the north of Colsterworth with this proposal for concrete block manufacturing linked to the quarry. The production of concrete blocks is linked to the construction industry, with production of different concrete block and brick products for residential and commercial building construction.

"The application proposes provision for car parking, with a small office and store, feed hoppers and silos the only built form proposed on site. The majority of the proposal is for stocking/storage of concrete blocks, with a production area located centrally within the site."

It continued: "The manufacturing area (approx. 0.7ha) forms only a small part of the total 4.2ha site, with the remainder of the site set aside for product stocking (1.5ha) forming the majority of the site and another 1.3ha provided for landscaping and ecological improvement."

"The proposal is inked to an existing quarry site approx. 9km to the north of the proposal and once fully operational will provide up to 35 jobs, with up to 23 employed directly by the applicant."

The report says the application received 27 letters of objection out of the 28 SKDC received on the subject. Objectors raised issues concerning HGV use, dust, noise, working hours, highway safety, impact on wildlife, Twyford Woods and visual impact.

The report continued: "Objections have been received that other sites are considered more suitable for the proposal. The applicant has put forward a justification for their proposal on this site, with proximity to both the A1 and the applicant's existing quarry facility both key in site selection.

"This site is considered to be easily accessed from the A1 and is located approx. 9km from the applicant's existing quarry at Little Ponton where the aggregate to make the concrete will be delivered from. Furthermore, the site is previously developed land and protected by Policy E4 for employment use.

"The proposed development is for employment use on a site allocated for employment use within the Local Plan. The proposal will result in job creation in the district and is linked to an existing business operating in the district. The site is located adjacent to the A1 with easy access to the A151/A1 junction and is located away from residential dwellings."

Recommending councillors approve the scheme, the report added: "Concerns raised with regards to noise and dust pollution are noted.

"However, the applicant has demonstrated that both issues can be overcome through suitable mitigation, secured through planning conditions, with no adverse impact on neighbouring land uses considered to arise from the proposal.

"There are no objections to the proposal from statutory consultees, including no objections from Colsterworth Parish Council."