Hambleton Bakery has been given the green light to build a new purpose-designed artisan bakery off the A1 in Greetham.

The company's planning application to build the bakery, along with staff and office accommodation, on land north of the Ram Jam Inn, Great North Road, was approved unanimously at last night's (Tues) Rutland County Council planning and licensing committee.

The development had to go before the committee because it will be built is on a greenfield site in open countryside, and therefore contrary to Rutland County Council's development plan.

Planning officers recommended the bakery plan for approval, citing 'mitigating factors' - that while the development is contrary to locational policies there are others which are 'at least partially supportive of the proposal'.

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

A report to the committee explained: "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."

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 wil be for 'purely commercial baking' to allow the existing site to diversify whilst the business expands.