Hambleton Bakery is a step closer to building a new artisan bakery off the A1 in Greetham.

The company is seeking planning permission to build the bakery, along with staff and office accommodation, on land north of the Ram Jam Inn, Great North Road.

Because the proposed development is on a greenfield site in open countryside, and therefore contrary to Rutland County Council's development plan, the proposal is to be decided by members of the authority's planning and licensing committee next Tuesday (14 Jan).

In a report to the committee, planning officers say there are 'mitigating factors' that mean the proposal can be given the green light.

Hambleton Bakery currently operates from rented premises on the Exton estate, where planning permission has recently been granted to include alterations to the building to allow it to be used for a bakery, bakery school and café.

The new building to be discussed on Tuesday is for 'purely commercial baking' to allow the existing site to diversify whilst the business expands.

The main issues are policy, relating to the principle of development on the site, design and highway safety.

The report says that while the development is contrary to locational policies there are others which are 'at least partially supportive of the proposal'.

It says: "This is a successful local business that needs to expand with a significant investment in the local economy.

"The artisan bread-making has outgrown the space available at the existing building and site.

"It needs a new purpose-designed building, almost double the size of the existing…."

The new building would be sunk into the site, screened by existing hedges and new tree planting - so that only the roof would be mainly visible. This would mean 'minimal impact' on the character and appearance of the countryside.

The original proposal has been revised to improve the site access, rather than create a new one, and complies with development plan in terms of highway safety.

In recommending the application is approved the report states: "In cases such as this where there are conflicts with the development plan but also some considerations in support of the proposal, it is necessary to look at the overall planning balance to weigh up what the recommendation should be.

"In this case there is technical conflict with the development plan in terms of locational policies and arguably sustainability.

"On the positive side, there is little visual impact, additional tree planting, little difference in terms of car journeys and opportunity to improve that issue through a travel plan.

"The impact from deliveries is arguably less as vehicles would have direct access to the A1 rather than travelling through Greetham to the A1 early each day.

"There is no impact on any neighbours and both local parish councils support the proposal.

"The scheme involves sustainable renewable energy proposals.

"There is also an opportunity for an increase in local employment and, whilst baking is a specialist job, there are other opportunities for staff at both premises as a result of the overall proposals for the business.

"This positive element of the proposal meets the policies on employment creation and helping local businesses expand.

"Weighing all the issues in the balance, these positive demonstrable factors…outweigh the negative technical factors in the development plan such that a recommendation for approval can be made in this case."

The recommendation for approval comes with a number of conditions including protecting existing trees on the site and that a travel plan, to encourage employees to car share or use alternative means of transport, should be in operation within three months of the building coming into use.