HUNDREDS of jobs could be created if a developer’s plan to build a mixture of business units and a 72-home estate gets the green light.

Lanswoodpark, in Elmstead Market, is already home to 40 businesses employing more than 400 people on site daily.

Now Lanswood Ltd is looking to build on eight hectares of land adjacent to the business centre.

The firm would transform the greenfield site into 10,000 square metres of commercial space, accompanied by a mixture of 72 three to five bedroom houses.

Lanswood already owns the land, with managing director Darin Shaikly confirming the company has long seen the space as an opportunity to expand.

“We went through the proper consultancy process, details went live on our website and the only comments have been positive ones,” he said.

“Lanswoodpark is 92 per cent occupied now and we achieved that over a period of five years, it will be the same strategy with our expansion.”

If approved, the commercial space would translate into between eight and ten business units.

When occupied, this could lead to the creation of at least 600 jobs.

Mr Shaikly said: “We have had interest from large companies who would have considered Lanswoodpark if planning were in place.

“We have been approached by care homes, nurseries and companies looking to expand, it is a fantastic location.”

He added: “The houses are proposed as enabling development, their profit being secured through legal agreement to the infrastructure of the commercial site.

“Therefore they are essential to Lanswoodpark’s expansion and commercial viability.”

Tendring Council will have the final say on the development plans.