THOUSANDS of new jobs could be created with a massive expansion of the business park at Bournemouth International Airport.

A feasibility site study and master plan has been commissioned looking at the possible business opportunities to be found on the 80-hectare site which developers argue has massive growth potential.

The claims were made at the South West Regional Development Agency annual review conference in Dorchester.

Key speaker Kay Homer, head of operations for the sub region of Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset said the airport was the biggest employment potential site in the whole county.

Millions of pounds were waiting to be invested in the site creating space for companies struggling to find adequate office accommodation in Bournemouth, she said.

Companies based at Bournemouth International Airport collectively employ more than 3,000 people. The figure has been rising steadily over recent years.

Around 160 companies are based at the airport, the largest of which is Dorset aerospace group Cobham's flight operations subsidiary FR Aviation which employs around 600 people.

But increasingly the airport has been attracting non-aviation companies. Lack of parking in the busy town centres is prompting firms to look at relocating to the airport.

However Ms Homer warned that development plans could be restricted by where the New Forest National Park boundary will eventually lie.

She said: "What we are aiming to do at Bournemouth International Airport is realise the potential of an 80 hectare site and enable access by a lot more companies.

"The airport was originally a wartime airport and there is still some of the infrastructure of that standard and we have to turn that round. The scope for development is considerable.

"There are already some very successful factory developments there and substantial business but we believe the potential could be so much higher."

However, she added: "The airport is situated in an area of environmental designations - it is surrounded by green belt and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, all of which are constraints in terms of development.

"We also have some issues about the New Forest National Park now that its boundaries are spilling over into Dorset which we will need to resolve."

The South West RDA's review revealed millions were being spent promoting other development opportunities in the county including Hamworthy which is expected to attract massive investment once the £20 million Poole lifting bridge has been built.

Another huge area being developed is Osprey Quay on Portland where the coastguard helicopter is based. The area is being touted as a possible site for Britain's bid for the 2012 Olympics and 2008 America's Cup.

Boscombe was also revealed to be the second most deprived ward in the south west and the subject of much single regeneration budget funding.