WEST Devon Borough Council has agreed to purchase land at Hatherleigh Industrial Estate to secure future businesses opportunities for the town.

The estate will now be able to expand, thanks to the £11,000 contribution from the authority, which was this week welcomed by town mayor Dennis Bater.

It will allow for the purchase of a 0.14 hectare site currently owned by Devon County Council which is undeveloped and ensure access to adjacent allocated employment land of one hectare situated behind it.

Mr Bater said without the scheme going ahead, the park would have been unable to move forward and attract new business.

?Anything that can help create more jobs and opportunities for business in the area has to be welcomed,? he said.

All existing plots which are not privately owned on the industrial estate are currently full and plans to expand the area for more business have been identified in the Local Plan for some time.

The need was established in the council?s Economic, Development and Regeneration Action Plan.

The plan stated as one of its six objectives: ?To aim to ensure that a comprehensive range of business premises is available to meet local needs, encourage business development and accommodate business new to the area.?

In a report to council members, economic development officer Tim Beavon said if no further action was taken, the county council was likely to follow its policy of disposing of the ?surplus land?.

The only other land that could accommodate additional business development opportunities was that adjacent to the cattle market, he said.