MORE than 160 new jobs could be created after plans to expand a business park were given the green light.

Lanswood Park in Broomfield Road, Elmstead Market, wants to put up three new buildings at the site.

It also looks to divide another proposed unit into two smaller ones.

The site is operating as an office and industrial park and has been so successful it wants to increase its operation.

As part of the application, the park said: “From inception to date, a total of 48,000 sq ft has been let and occupied at Lanswood Park, with a mix of local and international companies.

“Lanswood has taken a steady approach to occupations, which has resulted in a sound growth and stability that competes with the best Colchester-based employment locations, and in our opinion leads the way in high quality employment space for Tendring district.”

Tendring Council’s regeneration team supported the proposal for the new commercial premises.

A spokesman for the team said: “It will, if built out, provide additional capacity at the centre and in doing so create the opportunity for a further 160 new jobs.

“Lanswood Park has proved to be a popular location among both new and established businesses as well as with investors from outside the district.

“This proposal will bolster and enhance the size and further establish the centre’s credentials as a significant for employment growth in the western part of Tendring.”

The three new buildings were granted outline planning permission with the details over access, appearance, layout, scale and landscaping to be agreed at a later date. The split of the single building into two was granted full planning permission following a previous application.

The hours of operation will be restricted in line with the conditions already in place for existing occupied units at the park from a 2008 permission.

Elmstead Market Parish Council also supported the plans and said it would provide a boost for jobs.

It said: “This will being employment to the area of Elmstead and potentially to the proposed border garden village.

“They have continued with their existing style of building, which is in keeping with the area.”

Landwood park was built in 2012.