WORK is well underway to build a new 17 acre business park close to Bury town centre.

The first phase of development was kick-started on the Chamberhall Business Park, which is expected to bring 400 jobs to the borough.

When complete the site will boast 130,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space with 14 units ranging from 2,500 to 25,00 sq ft in size ­— half of which are already under offer.

Development of the project is being led by the Lindum Group and St Modwen and it is expected this initial phase will be completed by September.

Stuart Murray, development director – Industrial & Logistics at St Modwen, said: “Chamberhall Business Park will provide a range of units to suit local businesses of varying sizes.

“With its close proximity to the M66 and the Metrolink, we’re hopeful that it will also attract new employers to Bury, helping to put the area on the map as an ideal location for growing companies.

“The fact that 50 per cent of the units are already under offer demonstrates confidence in the scheme and further cements our ability to deliver well-located speculative industrial and logistics units in the region.”

The progression of construction at Chamberhall comes after the project’s first phase was given the green light by Bury Council’s planning committee in January, allowing five buildings, access roads and landscape work to begin.

However some concerns had been raised about the site by councillors, with one arguing that the land should be used for housing and another questioning whether the financial contributions made by the developer to the council would be high enough.

Under the proposals, St Modwen must contribute £30,000 towards tree planting in the borough to compensate for the trees that will be removed.

Nonetheless the business park has been hailed by the leader of the council, Councillor David Jones.

Cllr Jones said: “The success of our local economy is vital to the health of our borough, providing the investment, jobs and skills that will maintain Bury’s position as a great place in which to live, work and study.

“Bury is very much open for business, and we are delighted to be working with St Modwen to bring top quality employment opportunities to this excellent town centre site.”

Plans for the next phase of the Chamberhall site need to be finalised before being given the go ahead.

The Chamberhall Business Park forms part of a borough-wide transformative agenda which includes the new Pilsworth Park 66 and Warth Business Park.