AMBITIOUS plans have been announced for a new business park in Selby that could bring 100 jobs to the area.

The proposal to build a large-scale industrial site called Access 63 to the south-east of the town was welcomed by the district council's economy chief.

Development firm Abtech revealed it was in discussions with Selby District Council economic officers over plans for the site beside the A63 next to East Common Lane, near the Tate & Lyle plant.

They hope to build two units of 130,000 sq ft and 40,000 sq ft for distribution, storage and general industry in the first phase of the development.

The firm's agents are in the process of acquiring the land for the site and hope to submit a planning application within two months, for the first units to be ready early in 2007.

Steve Gibbons, the developer's joint agent, said they were in negotiations with the council's economic development unit over the number and size of units required.

He said: "We are probably looking at 100 jobs on the site, but it depends on the eventual size of the units.

"That will be across the board through secretarial and managerial positions to operational staff."

He said the firm had been drawn to the area because of its growing economy and large workforce.

"We are thinking that, with the West Yorkshire conurbation becoming quite crowded now, there is a move out to other areas," he said.

"We think the site will help in the regeneration of Selby and with the new bypass.

"It all ties in nicely."

Coun Brian Percival, chairman of the council's Economy Board, welcomed the plans and said the latest in a string of massive developments in the area show the town's economy is booming.

He said: "If it is the right site inside the bypass, then I am pretty confident that it would go through planning.

"It will be part and parcel of the town's making use of the bypass.

"It really will complement the area because to the south of the river and along the canal is where the really exciting developments will be in the next ten years.

"We have shaken off the image of being dependent on mining. It is an ideal location."

Updated: 10:27 Friday, March 03, 2006