A vineyard may be planted near Ketton.

But the venture all depends on a barn conversion being approved to handle the business side of things.

Tim Beaver of JP Beaver and Son, Church Farm, Duddington, wants to convert a barn to industrial use on land south of Barrowden Road, Ketton.

His application to Rutland County Council said: "The conversion forms part of a wider diversification on the farm holding with the south facing field adjacent to the barn being turned to a vineyard next year and the B1 office /light industrial use is intended to support this.

"The free draining south facing slopes are considered by the applicant to be ideal for viticulture."

Mr Beaver told Nub News that the vineyard proposal stems from 'a mid life crisis' stemming from his daughter falling ill with a brain tumour last year, which she is now recovering from.

The site for the vineyard is currently used to grow sugar beet but has "excellent soil similar to Burgundy (in France)."

It would be used to grow the Bacchus grape variety, which is very popular in England, he said.

The planning application said it was intended to plant the new vines this year, but the extreme weather over the winter and spring meant this would now take place in the next planting season.

It continued: "With weather patterns becoming more extreme around the world we will see traditional wine areas that import in the UK forced to stop growing or change varieties, and at the same time new areas in England will become optimal for wine production.

"Along with this the consumer is becoming more aware of carbon footprint, traceability and transport miles. All of these factors will help the UK viticulture industry boom in the next twenty years.

"This is an ideal field for viticulture with soils similar to Burgundy, France which is limestone brash, free draining, however as a result of climate change these soils are now becoming very inefficient to farm arable crops.

"There is also two Masters of Wine who believe in this venture who live locally and are keen to give advice on this project to produce a high-quality product."

The planning application also contained a comment from Mr Beaver, who said: "With farm subsidies disappearing completely over the next seven years it is critical I find another income stream to my business.

"Brexit threatens to see a flood of cheaper, lower standard commodity food products into the UK. I cannot compete on price against these imports.

"Viticulture in this field and the barn upgrade could offer my business a lifeline in producing a high quality, in demand product that will also help the local area with regards to jobs, wildlife and tourism."

Mr Beaver also told Nub News it was early days to say how big the vineyard would be, but it would start small and then expand. He expected to have a better idea in a couple of months depending on the planning outcome.

He warned: "The whole project depends on getting a barn conversion approved. Then we can start thinking longer term.

"We are excited but if we don't get the planning permission, it's a no goer."