MAJOR plans to expand the business park at Bournemouth Airport, creating 2,600 jobs and a potential £100 million benefit to the economy have been approved.

Despite concerns over traffic and transport infrastructure, the schemes from Bournemouth Airport were given the green light at BCP Council's planning committee last week.

The outline proposal for 25 hectares of new industrial land with road improvements will see at least 60 per cent of the development used for storage or distribution, with the rest for business and general use. A smaller amount would be for offices.

It is claimed the development could bring a value of more than £100million to the local economy.

A 'spine road' is planned through the industrial estate, linking up east and west to allow for cycle and pedestrian access. At present, this does not exist, forcing non-emergency traffic onto roads to get from one side to another.

Originally, the third application as part of the plans was for an employment unit for Christchurch business REIDsteel.

But a report to the committee confirmed they had withdrawn from the site. Earlier this year they announced plans to expand into the vacant Peeks Party Store site near the town centre.

Planning consultant Rob Barnes, representing the airport, told the committee the application had taken three years to get a decision.

Expanding on the benefits the proposals would bring, he said it included 2,650 full and part time jobs and 600-1,000 additional new jobs in a spin-off to the local economy.

"These applications matter. The economy is desperate for a boost as we respond to Brexit and tackle Covid", he told members.

"On a regular basis we are losing potential employers and fighting to keep existing ones because this scheme is being delayed.

"ReidSteel have already lost patience and walked away. The only reason it is still delayed is because of views around cycle links.

"The wider scheme benefits are substantial."

A number of measures have been approved to mitigate traffic issues including enhanced bus services, improvements to Matchams Lane and Avon Causeway and cycle crossings at Hurn roundabout, as well as the 'spine road'.

Serious concerns over the impact of traffic in Parley Lane and surrounding roads were raised by councillors, but members agreed that the responsibility for infrastructure ultimately laid with BCP Council and not the airport themselves.

Planning committee chairman Cllr David Kelsey said: "I would rather we had this extra business than Southampton, who are having an extension over there.

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr David KelseyCllr David Kelsey

"It will mean employment for our local people and technically minded people leaving university.

"I understand all of the frustrations about the traffic, but the way I am looking at it this is not going to change overnight.

"It is going to be a long-phased drawn-out process and we have lots of time to make sure infrastructure is done correctly.

"We have to have a change in people's attitudes towards transport. I would like to think the transport co-ordinator can lessen the impact on the roads."

All three applications for the development, 'spine road' and unit at Mountbatten Drive were approved.

Officers have been asked to update the committee within six months over transport discussions.