WORK has begun on the infrastructure of Okehampton East Business Park and councillors had the opportunity to see the initial progress of the scheme at a site visit to the park last Thursday.

The employment site is planned for development in two phases.  The first phase totals around seven acres. It will include five separate sites of levelled, part-serviced and landscaped plots for business use.

Once the infrastructure is in place, it is expected that these sites will be available for development from January 2016.

The business park, which is planned to be the main employment growth area for the town over the next five years, will aim to create a range of commercial premises and has the potential to accommodate hundreds of jobs.

Cllr Kevin Ball, who is the Devon County Council member for Okehampton Rural, said: ‘This project will enable local businesses to expand, and hopefully encourage other businesses into the town.

‘It will provide new employment opportunities for local people and, of course, that is always welcome.

‘I would like to thank all those at Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council who have worked hard to make it happen.’

Councillor James McInnes, member for Hatherleigh and Chagford, said: ‘I’m very pleased this project is now moving forward. The local economy needs this business park and many businesses are waiting for its completion.

Devon County Council chairman Cllr Christine Channon said: ‘I’m sure everyone in the local community will be pleased to see work starting on this business park.

‘The total investment of over £2-million by the county council in bringing this site forward reflects its strategic importance for the economy of West Devon as a whole.’

Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, county council cabinet member for economy and growth, said: ‘The delivery of this site is important for the future economic growth of the area and for creating local jobs.

‘It’s essential that the infrastructure is in place to support the development of the business park, in order to provide a location which will enable local businesses to expand as well as attracting new investment in Okehampton.‘

The scheme has received additional funding support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and forms part of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Rural Growth Network pilot.

The site is allocated for employment use in the Local Development Plan and was given planning approval in March this year for office, distribution and industrial use.

The five freehold sites in phase one are currently being marketed.