Redhill Business Park is to cost an extra £2.2m
An extra £2.2 million is needed to get a sprawling business park, which promises to create 2,500 jobs, off the ground in Staffordshire, it has emerged today.
Soaring costs of draining and preparing the site off the A34 in Stafford, as well as relocating wildlife, are being blamed for the increased price tag.
Council bosses are expected to agree to the extra cash at a meeting next week to keep the Redhill Business Park scheme alive. It means the local authority's commitment to the project is set to spiral from a forecast £8.5m to a total of £10.7m.
Cabinet member for environment Councillor Mark Winnington said the extra investment at Redhill was almost certain to be approved. That will pave the way for construction work to start next month.
"The additional investment demonstrates our commitment to getting construction of Redhill under way as quickly as possible to bring jobs and growth to Staffordshire," he said.
"It is necessary because there has been some redesign work since cabinet announced plans in April 2011 as a result of our ongoing studies of the site.
"We hope that in fact when Redhill is fully occupied there could be more than 2,500 jobs created. Under new business rate retention proposals, additional rates generated would remain in Staffordshire.
"Once additional investment has been approved work can start as planned next month." As well as construction of Redhill, work on the new Riverside chopping complex in the town centre is also due to start next month.
People have been finding out about both projects at information days in Stafford this week. Hundreds of people viewed the plans at the Gatehouse Theatre's Mountbatten Suite yesterday, and similar numbers are expected at tomorrow's viewing at midday.
