UP to 1,500 new jobs could be created as Winsford Industrial Estate continues to expand.

Plans to develop a new area of land on the site have now been approved.

A hotel, pub and petrol station are also in the pipeline as part of a £5 million masterplan.

Work is scheduled to begin this month to remove trees and shrubbery on 25 acres of land opposite Tiger Trailers’ new manufacturing facility on Road One.

Once the land is cleared, work can start to prepare the land for construction work to provide new business premises for organisations waiting to move onto the estate.

Cllr Brian Clarke, cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “Winsford Industrial Estate’s ongoing expansion is great news for the estate and for the people in the surrounding area.

"It will lead to the creation of more work opportunities and help enhance the reputation of the estate as a primary place from which to do business.”

Outline planning consent has been secured by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Public Sector Plc for land with three individual sites.

One 2.9 acre area would accommodate roadside uses, another is 7.06 acres for a range of commercial units from 1,000 sq ft and the third is around 17 areas suitable for commercial uses across 250,000 sq ft.

The latest work is part of the overall masterplan for the site, which will also include improvements to the existing roads and the addition of extra roads to improve the transport links to the estate.

Pete Price, chairman of the Winsford 1-5 Bid, said: “This development is great news for the local area which continues to develop and change the landscape of our business area.

"The industrial estate has diversified over the years and has businesses now not only in manufacturing processing and distribution but numerous other sectors of business.

“They trade with companies globally and have a lot of visitors to the estate to do businesses but have never been in a position to accommodate them nearby.

"The development with a hotel complex will allow not only business visitors to stay in the area but other people to stay in the local area. This will create employment for local people and continue the growth in the area.”

The council, Public Sector Plc and Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership have been working in partnership to develop this important and strategic employment site.

The five year scheme will boost economic growth and help the town to prosper.

Up to 1,500 jobs could be created at the site and there are also plans to build complementary uses including a petrol station, a pub and a hotel.

All enquiries about the available sites should be made to Legat Owen at legatowen.co.uk