DEVELOPERS plan to build an impressive hotel and leisure complex at the entrance to a business park which is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to an East Yorkshire market town.

Pocklington-based Broadvale Developments Ltd already has outline planning permission to build offices, light industry, storage and distribution facilities on a 27-acre business park adjoining the Pocklington Industrial Estate.

The latest application is for change of use of a small section of the land, next to the main A1079 York to Hull road, to be used for a hotel, restaurant, bar, leisure and conference complex with a highly-landscaped entrance.

The developers are hoping the application will be determined by East Riding of Yorkshire Council within the next four or five weeks.

Although still in the early stages, the hotel is expected to have between 30 and 50 rooms. Broadvale Developments is in discussions with a smaller hotel chain about the venture.

Jonathan Atkinson, of JG Hatcliffe and Partners, the agent for the developer, said that in conjunction with the outline planning permission the company will build a new link road connecting Halifax Way on the Industrial Estate with Hodsow Lane, the road leading from the A1079 to Pocklington. This will include some much-needed repairs to Hodsow Lane and a short-cut to the industrial estate as a whole.

Mr Atkinson said: "We want to create a trade centre environment so people can manufacture, produce and sell on the same site.

"We thought it was a prime place to provide a hotel complex on the front of the site. You have the chance to impact on everyone travelling from Hull back from the ferries, and to put a landmark building which will then be the entrance to the business park and to Pocklington itself.

"Hopefully this will enable Pocklington people to live, work and play in the community.

"In addition, its proximity to the A1079 affords easy access to the commercial centres of Hull and York, which is an attraction for new businesses wishing to relocate."

Bill Thomson, a member of the management committee for Pocklington Chamber of Trade, said: "I think it will be good for the town.

"If it's bringing hundreds of jobs to Pocklington that really is superb news. It's actually quite a run-down part so I would be glad to see something on it and if it's going to bring jobs to the town that's great."

Updated: 09:07 Monday, April 23, 2001