The University of Lincoln has completed a new Glasshouse Research & Development Facility at its Riseholme Park campus, adding significant capacity for controlled-environment trials in the heart of Greater Lincolnshire’s food economy. The purpose-built site uses geothermal ground-source heating to provide stable, low-carbon warmth for horticultural research throughout the year, demonstrating practical pathways to net-zero glasshouse production.
Designed for multiple projects to run in parallel, the glasshouse is divided into independently controlled compartments and will be available to eligible businesses alongside academic expertise from the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT). The facility also links into regional initiatives including the UK Food Valley and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s proposed Agricultural Growth Zone, as well as the University’s AgriTech Incubator with Barclays Eagle Labs.
Project documentation from the University confirms a total capital cost of around £2.2 million, comprising a £1.333 million grant from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and £888,666 from the University of Lincoln. The Estates page now lists the project stage as “Complete”.
Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of LIAT, said: “Once the new facility is operational, we will develop a raft of new Net Zero facilities for glasshouse production. Our aim is to unlock substantive investment on glasshouse crop production across the GLLEP. These investments need viable Net Zero solutions for growers to reduce energy cost and carbon emissions. Investment in glasshouse production helps grow local economies, skills and food security.”
The glasshouse strengthens an already nationally significant cluster. Greater Lincolnshire is responsible for around one-eighth of England’s food and supports circa 75,000 food-sector jobs, with particularly strong specialisms in fresh produce, glasshouse production and food logistics. By proving out low-carbon heat at operational scale, the Riseholme facility is expected to accelerate innovation uptake across the region’s growers and processors.
Editor’s note on scope: Several media reports have characterised the site as “powered entirely by geothermal energy” and cited higher project costs; the University’s own materials specify geothermal heating (via ground-source technology) and a total cost of about £2.2m. This article reflects the University/LEP figures.
