SOUTH Somerset could be due for thousands of new jobs and a £100 million boost to the economy after plans for a business park expansion were submitted.

Plans to expand Bunford Business Park by more than 50,000 square metres have been submitted by Abbey Manor Group and Sainsburys to the South Somerset District Council.

Development of the new park will add a new Sainsburys store, bus stop and cycle link with the town centre and provision for industrial and business space, and is set to bring more than 2,500 jobs to the region.

Judith Gannon, managing director at Abbey Manor Group, said: " The response from the local community has been positive and a number of local businesses are already interested in moving to the new site.”

“I’m delighted that we are now in a position to submit our application to bring forward this scheme. The proposed Sainsbury’s will unlock the wider development of Bunford Park and infrastructure improvements to make it a reality, delivering significant investment through much needed business space and employment opportunities.”

David Mills, ‎head of property communications at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re really excited that our plans have moved one step closer. The new Sainsbury’s store in Bunford Park will bring job and training opportunities and a high-quality range of food choice for the local community.”

Sarah Hawkins, director at planning consultants WYG, said: “it is anticipated that the proposal will create some 2,499 to 3,090 full time equivalent permanent jobs, representing a 5.8 per cent to 7.2 per cent increase in the total number of full time jobs through South Somerset.”

The new development is expected to open thousands of job opportunities for people and potential to open businesses.

The Sainsbury’s will include a petrol station, café, customer parking and around 250 jobs. The park is located by the A3088, approximately 1.5 miles west from Yeovil town centre.

The plans were first unveiled to the local community as part of a public consultation in December last year.

The planning application includes a full application for ‘formation of new road access, erection of 2,040sqm gross Class B1 offices and light industrial/Class B8 storage and distribution unit and erection of 8,443sqm gross Class A1 foodstore, petrol filling station, car parks and related infrastructure and landscaping.

Also included in the plans is an outline application for ‘formation of remainder of a 56,051sqm gross business park including erection of Class B1 office and light industrial and Class B8 storage and distribution uses, secondary road access off Bunford Hollow, other related infrastructure and landscaping and all other matters reserved for future consideration.

South Somerset District Council expects to make a decision on the application on October 16.

Plans for a business park at Bunford Park were previously granted outline planning permission in 2011 from South Somerset District Council.

To view the full application and all related documents, visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/planningdetails/?id=1702805HYBRID