A NEW 66-ACRE commercial and industrial development near Thirsk is set to create hundreds of jobs.

Dalton New Bridge will be created next to the existing Dalton Industrial Estate, where occupiers include Wagg Foods and National Tube Stockholders.

The site has recently been opened up by a £4.1 million highway redevelopment project, involving a new bridge over a small river, replacing its ageing, flood-blighted predecessor.

It will be marketed by Leeds property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips (DHP), whose partner, Mike Dove, said: “This is one of the premier development sites to come to market in Yorkshire this year.

“It has tremendous potential, with immediate access to the national motorway network, recently improved by multi-million pound highway upgrades.”

He said land was available on a freehold basis with plots on offer from five to 66 acres and buildings up to 400,000 sq ft.

“A significant feature of this site is its size, unique in North Yorkshire. Dalton New Bridge can accommodate major projects, which require large-scale buildings, sites and plots appealing to developers and occupiers alike.

“It is just four miles from both Junction 49 of the A1(M), giving immediate north/south access, and the A19.

“The entire 66-acre site has been proposed for employment use within the Hambleton Local Plan and Hambleton District Council, together with the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), have been very supportive.”

Mick Jewitt, deputy chief executive of Hambleton District Council, said that having already safeguarded 126 jobs and creating around 137 more, the redeveloped bridge was now also helping to bring in a string of new investment.

“With almost £20 million of private sector funding leveraged, the renewed confidence in the area is opening up significant potential for further new jobs,” he said.

Lindsay Ross, spokesman for the owners of Dalton New Bridge, said: “This is a very exciting development opportunity, which will provide a timely boost to the North Yorkshire economy, creating hundreds of jobs and leading to valuable inward investment.

“We are now open for business.”

David Kerfoot, chair of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership said: “This project is testament to the true collaboration between the public and private sector. “