Boston Borough Council has approved a major horticultural expansion which will see one of the borough’s most established family businesses grow its operations on the edge of Hubberts Bridge.
On 2 September, councillors granted full planning permission for the construction of significant new glasshouse extensions and two surface water irrigation reservoirs at R. Fountain & Sons. The application was prepared and submitted by AF Architecture on behalf of the Fountain family, who have been involved in Lincolnshire agriculture for generations and remain at the heart of the county’s horticultural supply chain.
R. Fountain & Sons, better known locally as Fountain Plants, has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality brassica plants. These are supplied to farmers across Lincolnshire and further afield, forming a crucial part of the agricultural cycle that underpins the region’s food production industry. The firm’s location on Lineside, just off the A1121, provides strong transport links for moving plants quickly and efficiently to customers. Over the years, the company has gradually expanded its site in line with demand, securing planning permission for new glasshouses and reservoirs in both 2019 and 2020.
The latest approval represents one of the largest phases of growth to date. More than 28,500 square metres of new glasshouses are to be constructed, a land area of around seven acres, providing much-needed space to increase growing capacity. At the same time, two new irrigation reservoirs will be excavated and landscaped to collect rainfall from the glasshouse roofs. This water will be recycled for irrigation, providing a sustainable and efficient solution while reducing the need to draw on mains supplies. In an area that lies within a recognised flood risk zone, the reservoirs also play a vital role in managing surface water run-off. The scheme includes embankments around the reservoirs which will be grassed and seeded with wildflowers, adding to the biodiversity of the area. Photovoltaic panels will also be installed along the banks, generating renewable electricity to meet some of the heavy energy demands of the modern glasshouses.
Boston Borough Council’s decision notice sets out several conditions that must be met before and during construction. These include the submission of a detailed construction management plan to address issues such as site access, traffic management, dust and noise control, and working hours. A landscaping and tree-planting scheme must also be provided, ensuring the development blends into the rural landscape and provides long-term environmental benefits. In addition, the Council has required the submission of a biodiversity net gain plan, in line with new national legislation, before any works begin.
The site’s existing entrance off the A1121 will be upgraded to Lincolnshire County Council standards, ensuring safe access for vehicles during construction and future operations. A new internal access road will also be created, running along the eastern boundary of the development. The decision followed a review of technical reports including a Flood Risk Assessment, which concluded that the mitigation measures proposed were sufficient to manage any risks associated with the low-lying location.
The expansion is seen as an important step in supporting Lincolnshire’s wider farming and food production sector. The county is nationally recognised as a hub for brassica growing, and suppliers such as R. Fountain & Sons play a key role in ensuring farmers have access to the plants they need for large-scale cultivation. With food security and sustainable farming practices high on the national agenda, the project is being positioned not just as a local business development, but as part of a bigger picture for the future of British agriculture.
Residents in the immediate area have previously raised concerns about the visual impact of large-scale glasshouses along the A1121. In response, the siting of the reservoirs has been deliberately planned to create a buffer between the new glasshouses and nearby residential properties. The glasshouses themselves are designed as single-storey prefabricated structures, matching the style of the existing facilities on site and keeping their impact on the landscape to a minimum. Embankments and additional planting are expected to further soften their appearance over time.
For the Fountain family, the latest approval secures the ability to continue expanding in a controlled, sustainable manner. The company has been part of the Boston area’s economy for decades, providing employment, supporting local farmers, and contributing to the borough’s reputation as a cornerstone of UK horticulture. By investing in sustainable infrastructure such as rainwater harvesting reservoirs and renewable energy, the business is also positioning itself for the long term, in line with both local and national policy priorities around environmental responsibility.
With full planning permission now granted, work on the project is expected to begin in the coming months once pre-commencement conditions have been discharged. The development is anticipated to bring lasting economic, environmental, and agricultural benefits to the borough, reinforcing Boston’s place at the heart of Lincolnshire’s farming landscape.
