Business village to bring jobs

A multi-million business village, between Stafford and Penkridge, could create 600 jobs and contain the most technologically advanced business accommodation in Staffordshire.

Investment bosses today said the £4.5 million Dunston Business Village could bring in an extra £50 million to the local economy once it is fully occupied.

The scheme is set in the grounds of a disused farmstead on the A449 and will eventually provide over 64,000 sq ft of top quality office space.

The site was originally going to be developed for seven luxury houses until Penkridge entrepreneur Adrian MacLaughlin stepped in and convinced South Staffordshire District Council to turn it into employment land.

Tony Joynson, project manager at InStaffs investment agency, predicted a boom time for the area after visiting the site.

He said: "This is not like any other development we've seen in Staffordshire for some years and this is being reflected in the level of interest from potential occupiers. We believe this could add an extra £50 million to the local economy when full."

Developer Mr MacLaughlin added: "When I looked around the farm I quickly saw the potential to create something completely different and it would have been a dreadful waste of resources to have turned this site into seven houses and to have demolished the vast majority of the farm buildings."

The project will be completed by May 2009.