South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone

Landscape design services for a major project

The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) is a major project that will bring bespoke employment space for new businesses and SMEs, specifically in the agri-tech sector, and is being brought forward by Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council, and the University of Lincoln.

Influence were appointed in October 2020 to provide landscape design services to a large section of the 17 hectares of employment space with the vision to set a precedent for the rest of the development site. Planning was granted in March 2021 and Influence are currently assisting RG Carter through the construction period with completion expected in Spring 2022.

The landscape approach, whilst enhancing biodiversity took inspiration from Holbeach town’s main industries of food growing and horticulture. The design incorporated a kitchen garden and native fruiting hedgerows and trees to encourage foraging which embodied the concept of the landscape’s natural provision.

Nature conservation and wildlife-friendly greenspace was a main focus for the design which Influence addressed by incorporating espalier fruit trees to form living green screens, a species rich wildflower beetle bank and green roof cycle shelters which also incorporate bird boxes and bug hotels to create habitat provision, shelter and offer nesting opportunities.

Influence carried out constraints and opportunities assessment followed by concept plans and landscape palette sheets to aid discussions with the design team and client. These led on to the development of a Landscape Design and Access Statement and detailed hard and soft landscape plans.