UP TO 900 jobs could be created in �Little Paxton after plans for an �industrial park were unveiled.

Community leaders have welcomed the proposals but have questioned whether the site earmarked for land behind the Samuel Jones Crescent housing development in Mill Lane is the best choice.

Commercial property agents Barfords submitted an outline planning application, on behalf of developers Altodale Ltd, to Huntingdonshire District Council.

The development would see about 15,000sq m used for industrial development and a further 13,000sq m used for research and development purposes.

Barfords’ planning director Martin Page said developments of this size usually �created between 800 and 900 jobs.

The district council has begun a four-week public consultation, which will include a public meeting in Little Paxton Village Hall later this month.

District councillor for Little Paxton Ken Churchill said he was concerned about the safety of traffic going in and out of the site along the Great North Road and Mill Lane.

He said the junction on the A1, which drivers frequently misjudged as a slip road, posed another traffic hazard, which he hoped would be addressed.

“Any employment opportunities are very welcome within the St Neots area,” he said, “but whether that particular area is the right place for it I have my doubts.

“I will be attending the meeting and listening to all residents’ concerns. I’m here to represent the views of the village and make sure their voices are heard.”

The site has been earmarked for industrial development since the 1980s when approval was granted for access and a number of industrial buildings.

Delays in building work, subsequent changes to building restrictions by HDC and an inability to agree legal terms and conditions forced developers to re-submit two updated applications in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mr Page said: “We’re hoping we’re at the final stage in terms of us meeting all the criteria.

“We’re now at the consultation stage and, hopefully, within the next few months we’ll move on to the next stage with HDC.”

Little Paxton parish clerk Jenny Gellatly said that until the consultation meeting had taken place the council could not comment on the application.

She said the proposal would be discussed at a March parish council meeting: otherwise a special meeting would be called.

INFORMATION: The public consultation meeting will take place in the committee room at Little Paxton Village Hall on Saturday, February 25, from 10am until noon.