A move which would create hundreds of new jobs at a Clacton business estate has been given the all-clear.

There were fears the scheme to boost Oakwood Business Park by an extra 36 acres could be called in by the Government.

But Tendring Council has revealed that will not now happen and the project, which has already been backed by the council, can go ahead.

The plan would mean new roads and new jobs for the area.

Britton Construction is behind the bid to expand Oakwood, which is next to the Gorse Lane industrial estate.

Peter Patrick, chairman of Tendring Council's planning and technical committee, said: "It was all hanging on them calling it in. We suspected they would not because the county council had not opposed it," he said.

"It is very good news, we are short of industrial land and we desperately want some we can offer to people."

Tendring is desperately short of industrial land after developments in Frating with The Book Service and at Gorse Lane with Clacton Common.

This move would help fill the gap. Traffic would enter mainly from Thorpe Road and site access through a spine road would be via a new roundabout.

Land there would be used for office, research and development, light and general industry and storage or distribution but not retail.

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