MORE than 2,000 jobs would be created at a new business park built as part of a 500-homes development on the edge of Weymouth.

Developers made the claim as they lodged plans for a scheme at Littlemoor which proposes 500 homes, land for a new 420-pupil primary school, public open space, community centre, and 8 hectares of employment land to include a hotel, care home and car showrooms. Around 150 homes would be affordable (social) housing, subject to viability.

The Littlemoor Urban Extension, earmarked for farmland north of Littlemoor Road towards Bincombe Marsh Dairy and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AoNB), is one of the most significant planning applications for the Weymouth area in recent years and has been in the pipeline for some time. Along with Chickerell, it is a strategic site for homes and employment to help meet local needs.

It was among the sites for housing agreed in the local plan to support future growth, and developers say it will help to boost the fortunes of the 'deprived' ward of Littlemoor.

Residents were invited to give their views on the scheme at consultation events last September. The number of houses, potential flooding problems and the effect on the AoNB were among the issues raised, although some spoke up in support, saying it would help boost the economy.

Now Neejam 165 Ltd and Budworth Development has submitted outline proposals – supported by a comprehensive planning package including a masterplan, travel plans, environmental reports, and surveys– for the site, most of which is within West Dorset's boundary.

The applicant says it is committed to encouraging continuous public engagement as it progresses. It if wins planning approval from Weymouth and West Dorset councils, six years of construction work could begin in 2018.

A document submitted with the application says construction would have direct employment impacts, and would benefit local suppliers and services.

It adds: "Drawing on the current demographic profile of the area, It is estimated that the development would have a final population of around 1,055. The increased population would be a source of labour supply for the employment uses proposed. It is anticipated that over 2,100 full time equivalent jobs could be created as a result of this development. The development would bring much needed jobs to Littlemoor, which is among the 10 per cent most deprived wards in the country."

CONCERNS have previously been raised about the Littlemoor Urban Extension, with opponents claiming it will ‘divide’ the community.

When discussing the scheme as housing allocations were decided for the local plan, Rachel Rogers, who up until this year represented Littlemoor as a borough councillor, raised concerns about the visual impact and the pressure the development would put on the local area’s infrastructure. She claimed Littlemoor was already a divided community geographically and new housing to the north would ‘further fragment’ the area.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has said land in this area has the potential to deliver employment and new homes, being at the ‘gateway’ to the relief road, near to a railway station and opposite the existing Littlemoor estate.

Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Hind said the development could support the borough's economic growth.

Speaking during the consultation event last year, Richard Boother, associate director at consultancy firm RPS, said the scheme could bring a lot of benefits to Littlemoor.