07/07/2021 - Permalink

Oswestry Innovation Park takes major step forward

Related topics: Economic growth / Planning

A new innovation park bringing more than 1,000 new jobs and transforming the gateway into one of Shropshire’s towns has moved a step closer.

Shropshire Council’s Northern Planning Committee has granted permission for the road infrastructure to kick start the development of the Oswestry Innovation Park during a meeting held earlier today.

It also granted outline permission for 10 plots to be delivered over four phases for the innovation park.

The latest step forward has been hailed as a huge boost for the town and entire county, with the park set to bring highly skilled jobs, a new hotel, food and retail premises to the area.

Shropshire Council is behind the scheme, which will provide a massive boost to the region, with the creation of 1,300 new jobs when it is operating and more than 80 during the construction phase.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and planning, said:

“This is absolutely fantastic news and one of the most exciting projects in the whole county, which will bring hundreds of new jobs and some new businesses to Oswestry. It is a major step forward for our plans.

“We are determined to put the county’s economy first and this is a huge leap in the right direction, attracting new highly skilled employment opportunities and modern, forward-thinking businesses.

“There is also the potential during the construction phase to support local people to access opportunities for training, apprenticeships and other education and skills opportunities.

“We cannot wait to get spades in the ground now and provide the county with this fantastic development.”

There will also be new flexible office and manufacturing premises which would attract innovative firms and support incubator and accelerator businesses and potentially small start-ups.

These types of companies would likely attract and employ skilled employees and offer employment opportunities for those people with higher level qualifications within Shropshire.

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