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

If approved by planners, Meridian Business Village, off Collett Way, could see up to 150,000sq ft of units, including office, warehouse and production space, developed on the 4.5-acre site, agent Savills revealed.

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

Owner Whitbread wants to build an extra 72 bedrooms and extend the restaurant for 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.”

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

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.

“It’s going to bring new jobs and secure existing ones.”