Green light for automotive R&D centre

Proposals for an automotive research and development centre in Lincolnshire have been approved.The facility will be located at Blyton Park Driving Centre on Kirton Road, Gainsborough, which provides testing and research and development of motor vehicles. It occupies the northern end of a former airfield.Plans involve the construction of a centre focused on new automotive technology, in particular the development of electric and autonomous vehicle technologies.It will comprise a series of ten garage spaces, together with internal office/meeting accommodation.The proposal also includes two wind turbines and ground mounted solar panels.Although principally for the parent company, Ginetta, for its research and development purposes, the facility is also intended to be made available to other teams and organisations for similar purposes.Proposals were reviewed by the council’s planning committee on 2 February but were deferred to allow for a site visit.The scheme has been approved, subject to conditions.