Community leaders have welcomed the prospect of 200 jobs which could be created at a new business park in Didcot.

If approved by planners, the park, which will be called Meridian Business Village, off Collett Way, could see up to 150,000 sq ft of units, including a mixture of office, warehouse and production space, developed on the 4.5 acre site, agents Savills have revealed.

Also this week, Didcot’s Premier Inn near the Milton Interchange announced the creation of 25 full time equivalent jobs if plans to extend the hotel and Table Table restaurant are given the go-ahead by the Vale of White Horse District Council.

Owners’ Whitbread want to build an additional 72 bedrooms and extend the restaurant so it can feed another 40 diners.

Glyn Hall, president and chairman of Didcot Chamber of Commerce, said: “Didcot is growing whether we like it or not and we need to be in the position where jobs are available if we are going to have all these new homes built. It’s a positive move if we are going to have companies coming in. But in these hard times, it’s making sure companies take advantage of it.”

John Flood, leader of Didcot Town Council, said: “It’s very good news, especially in the current financial climate. It’s nice to hear that Didcot is still considered a good venue for firms to open up. It’s a boost to the morale of the town, no doubt about it.”

A planning application for the Collett Way site, currently waste land near Southmead Industrial Estate, is expected to be submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council within the next few weeks.

The agent said work would not begin until potential tenants showed interest in the site. Units would be available to lease or buy.

The land, which used to belong to the district council, is now owned by a family from Berkshire who wish to remain anonymous.

Andrew Parker, a director with Savills commercial agency team, said the number of jobs would depend on the park’s use, but numbers could reach up to 200.

He said: “It would be a huge boost to Didcot. At the moment there is not a lot of quality space available in the town and this would feed off Milton Park which is a huge employer locally. This could potentially provide a new home for businesses coming off Milton Park. It’s going to bring new jobs and secure existing ones. This is a valuable relocation site which is on the doorstep.”

Mr Parker said it was pitching the park towards science and high-tech based businesses.

Colin Jones, 65, of Loyd Road, Didcot, said: “With the extra housing coming to the area, I think they will need jobs to go with it.”