HUNDREDS of new jobs are set to be created after plans for six commercial units in Ellesmere Port were given the green light by planning chiefs.

Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee rubber-stamped proposals by Vortex Business Park off New Bridge Road for the new units which will have a collective floor space of more than 21,000 sq m.

Planned use includes office space, industrial use and storage. Project backers told Tuesday’s planning meeting that around 420 jobs would be created by the scheme and that there had already been ‘significant interest’ from prospective tenants. They estimated that  the benefit to the local economy would be in the region of £44m-£72m a year.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Rhys Davies of Cadnant Planning, told the meeting: “This proposal brings forward the last undeveloped part of this key site.

“The developer has been in negotiation with the council as landowner of part of the application site for a number of years now and has a proposal which is bow viable and deliverable in the short term.”

He added: “Such is the importance of the project that it’s been approved by the Cheshire West local enterprise partnership who have agreed to some financial support to ensure that he project is deliverable and viable.”

The 11 acre brownfield site to the east of the M53 and Shropshire Union Canal is largely made up of scrubland and is located in the Stanlow Special Policy area. There were no objections from the public and planning officers recommended approval.

Committee member Cllr Peter Rooney told the meeting: “This is a great development which will bring a lot of employment to Ellesmere Port.

“It’s on a brownfield site in an industrial area and I’m happy to support and propose that we accept the officers’ decision.”

The scheme was approved unanimously.