Moulton Chapel glasshouses’ ‘glow will reach Peterborough’

Councillors were also worried lights would be on in mornings and evenings for work during winter months at Lucksbridge Nurseries in Broadgate Drove.

Coun Rodney Grocock told South Holland’s planning committee the glasshouses would be “lit up like the Crystal Palace”.

He said: “You can’t tell me this isn’t light pollution. Is the applicant fitting roof blinds? Because, if he isn’t, you will be able to see Moulton Chapel from Peterborough.”

The nursery wants to put up new glasshouses with a total floor area of 36,096 sqm – existing glasshouses and 
polytunnels cover 20,440 sqm – along with two new biomnass plant rooms.

Similar plans were refused last year, partly because of their “overbearing effect”, but an amended application – which has removed a 9.6m bay on the northern part of the site close to homes – was criticised for not going far enough to meet councillors’ concerns.

Coun Grocock said: “All the residents will see is this massive area of glass.”

And Coun Chris Brewis told the committee: “I have some misgivings about it still. Have they gone far enough to meet our objections? I am inclined to believe that they haven’t.”

Committee chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones cautioned against refusal, saying concerns like lighting could be overcome by applying conditions to any consent.

Members deferred a decision so council officers can negotiate with the applicants over issues such as reducing the scale of the development and increasing the distance between it and nearby homes, most of which are bungalows.