Outline planning permission for a 29 hectare business site has been approved by Mid Suffolk District Council.

The proposal, by Stowmarket Mill Lane Developments Ltd, will be built on agricultural land next to the A1120 in the parish of Creeting St Mary, near Stowmarket.

The recommendation by Mid Suffolk District Council Development Control Committee ‘A’, was approved unanimously yesterday.

Full planning permission for landscaping on the site, was also recommended by the committee.

The committee were told the site, which is adjacent to heritage buildings at Clamp Farm, would cause less than substantial harm to heritage assets, and that the amount of jobs would help meet district-wide totals.

The Gipping Valley food enterprise zone will also be included on the site, as well as a number of offices, showrooms, factories and warehouses.

An objector, at Clamp Farm, said although the benefits came in job numbers, the total was “purely speculative.”

Richard Turner, who spoke on behalf of Stowmarket Mill Lane Developments Ltd, said as part of the landscaping, 50,000 trees would be planted.

Mr Turner said on an average salary of £26,000, £70million in wages will come to the site every year, which would be spent in Stowmarket.

Ward councillor Caroline Byles said: “Initially I was very against this development. But after reading papers I have come to the conclusion this development is needed.”

Committee member Derrick Haley said: “This county needs economic growth. Without it we will be in trouble. There’s no point in building houses in Stowmarket and not providing jobs.”

After the meeting, Mr Turner said: “I’m delighted that after many years working with Mid Suffolk we have received outline planning permission that will enable us to make a start this year.”