By Patrick LowmanMAJOR plans that could create 500 jobs, as well as new shops and homes for the elderly, were heralded last night as “fantastic news”.
By Patrick Lowman
MAJOR plans that could create 500 jobs, as well as new shops and homes for the elderly, were heralded last night as “fantastic news”.
Babergh District Council has received two planning applications for major developments in Sudbury, which look set to give the town a major economic boost and regenerate a run-down area.
Caverswall Holdings Limited has submitted a plan to build a new factory, warehouse and offices in Churchfield Road, on the edge of the Chilton Industrial Estate.
The firm is based in Milner Road, Sudbury, and is the parent company of the Prolog group, which already has two warehouses and office units in the town.
Bosses said the factory would create at least 500 new jobs at the company, which specialises in the distribution and storage of promotional material and literature.
Peter Tyrer, company director, said: “We hope that in time we would be able to employ more than 500 people on the site.
“Hundreds of new homes are due to be built at the nearby Chilton Woods development and we hope to offer some of the people moving into those homes the opportunity of employment.
“These plans also prove our commitment to the town. We have always said we want to remain based in Sudbury. We hope to get the new factory in operation by the end of 2006.”
The second application is from McCarthy and Stone for a mixed-use development at a former builder's yard in Francis Road, which will provide 37 sheltered apartments for the elderly and new shops.
The former builder's yard site, which has sat empty since it was demolished several years ago, is next to the town's bus station and in an area that has been in need of regeneration.
Nick Irwin, town councillor, said: “The news of 500 new jobs is fantastic, it can only be good news for Sudbury.
“I feel that the more employment offered in the town can only help to push up wages because there will be fewer people chasing more jobs.
“The Francis Road site has been in desperate need of regeneration for a long time and anything that helps to get rid of the blot on the landscape is good.”
Both applications are due to be considered by Babergh District Council in the near future.
patrick.lowman@eadt.co.uk
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