HOPES for the dualling of the A120 have movedastep closer after a “catalyst” development of a major industrial site was finally agreed.

Outline permission for Tendring Europark on land to the south-west of Horsley Cross was originally given in February by Tendring Council.

Now council officers and applicant Croland Ltd have finished their negotionations over legal elements of the plan.

The development includes 28,000 sq metres of floorspace for general industry, storage and distribution, and a bus depot, with buses running between Harwich, Manningtree, Clacton and Colchester.

The plans also include a telecoms mast which is set to provide high-speed broadband across Tendring.

Developers had suggested as many as 600 jobs could be created but Tendring Council leader Mick Page said between 300 and 500 was a more realistic figure.

He said: “There has been lots of negotiation and it has taken longer than what I had thought it would be but now it has all been signed off. "