A MAJOR four-storey development at Oxford Science Park which could attract nearly 500 jobs to Littlemore has been approved.

At an East Area Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, city councillors unanimously backed the project for the new expansion of the park which already employs 2,400 people.

The proposed development will occupy Plot 12 at Edmund Halley Road.

Managing director at the science park Piers Scrimshaw-Wright said he was ‘delighted’ that the plans had been approved.

He added: “We plan to commence construction in early 2017 and will make a further statement early in the New Year.”

Developers will next work to build a new ‘state of the art’ building with a roof terrace and comprising of work space capable of accommodating 500 employees.

There will also be 203 car parking spaces, 80 cycle spaces and provision for a new bus route linking the science park to the city centre.

Speaking at the planning meeting at Oxford’s Town hall concerns were raised over the number of cycle spaces compared to that for cars.

Council officers reminded councillors the number of parking spaces was ‘planning compliant’ and they would need a very clear reason to ask for more spaces from the developers.

Now that permission has been secured construction is expected to begin early next year.