A former lorry storage area is set to become a new bus depot for Spalding operated by Stagecoach.
The Pinchbeck industrial estate site was previously used by Freshlinc and is on the industrial estate.
The application to South Holland Disrict Council includes provision to site two portable cabins, one on the other, to create offices.
There will also be a new concrete slab to connect an existing one to support a diesel tank.
“The primary goal of the scheme is to function as a bus depot, with office, canteen, administration and welfare facilities for staff and sufficient parking for the bus fleet and staff while not overdeveloping the site, which is long-term leased,” says a document in support of the application.
“The general characteristic of the application site and its immediate surroundings is commercial/industrial, in nature, the site was an existing storage yard for FreshLinc Ltd wagons and therefore will create little visual impact.
Stagecoach had looked for sites that could accommodate what it needed, in terms of lease, size and access, and other sites met some of the requirements, but only this site allowed for a relocation of facilities from Long Sutton, where the lease is coming to an end.
“Staff retention is fundamental to the relocation of operations. The relocation will create job opportunities for new drivers from the Spalding area,” says the design and access statement.
Justification for the application to be approved includes the fact Stagecoach needed a ‘greater pool of people for employment opportunities.”
Around 40 of the existing 70 staff live within a five-minute drive.
“The adjacent land is also occupied by Freshlinc Ltd as a distribution hub which, in comparison, dwarfs our proposals.”
The company is also housing some operations of another bus company.
