THE new Okehampton East Business Park has taken a huge step forward after the planning application was approved by West Devon Borough Council.

Following approval by Devon's cabinet to move forward with plans for the park, West Devon approved plans on March 24. The planning permission includes use for office, distribution and industrial use, road and site levels. The next stage will be to attract businesses alongside a tender process for construction works.

The 20-acre park aims to create a range of commercial premises and the creation of around 400 jobs. The plan is to develop the park in two phases.

The first would comprise five plots on the upper part of the site framing the Okehampton business centre development. The remaining steeply sloping plots to the north of the site will form a potential future development, subject to costs and market interest.

The cost of phase 1 is around £2-million and comprises the creation of levelled, serviced and landscaped plots for business use.  Devon County Council has reserved a further four acres for car parking to serve potential future railway development.

It is hoped, subject to a successful tender, that the infrastructure works would start on site this summer for completion this autumn. Marketing information is currently being prepared and it is expected that the site will be advertised both locally and nationally in early May.

The project went through a public consultation last April where stakeholders and members of the public were invited to view the plans.

Cabinet member for economy and growth Cllr Andrew Leadbetter said: 'The development of the park is an integral part of the expansion of the area to the east of Okehampton and we hope that it will create new jobs and business opportunities. There is an encouraging level of interest from businesses wishing to occupy the site and estimates indicate that it has the potential to support over 400 jobs.

'One of our top priorities for Devon is to create the right infrastructure and environment for businesses to thrive and we hope this will provide a catalyst for doing just that. In some cases, it is the public rather than the private sector that must take the lead in bringing forward potential sites for development and this is one such instance. Without our support, it is likely to remain undeveloped and the opportunity to create and secure local jobs missed.'

Local member for the Hatherleigh and Chagford division James McInnes said: 'It is very important for Okehampton and its rural hinterland that we have an expansion of jobs in the area. I'm very pleased this project is moving forward and it is a positive sign for the future.'

Local member for Okehampton Rural Cllr Kevin Ball said: 'This has been a long journey for the community but I'm delighted that we've reached this point. I'm looking forward to local companies being given the opportunity to expand and hopefully it will attract new investment into the area.'

MP for Central Devon Mel Stride said: 'Okehampton has experienced its fair share of economic challenges over recent years and I am very pleased to see this plan take shape. By providing the infrastructure needed to help new businesses re-locate or existing ones to expand, this will provide a major boost to the town and neighbouring areas.'