HUNDREDS of jobs could be on their way to Helsby after a 16-acre derelict site, formerly part of the BICC Cables plant, was bought by a developer who plans to turn it into a business park.

The Brookhouse Group announced yesterday it had exchanged contracts to purchase the site, off Chester Road in Helsby, for redevelopment as a mixed-use scheme.

The site contains up to 25,000 sq ft of office buildings and about 400,000 sq ft of industrial and storage space.

Brookhouse estates director Alan Nottingham said: 'It is our intention to refurbish the existing office space to kick-start the development of a business park on part of the site.

'The remainder of the redevelopment proposals will be worked up over the next few months, in consultation with Vale Royal Borough Council and the people of Helsby.

'We are keen that this derelict site can be brought back into use as soon as possible for the benefit of the surrounding area, as well as providing significant employment opportunities for the North West.'

Mr Nottingham pledged to involve the people of Helsby and ensure they had every opportunity to make their views known.

'We have always been keen to involve local people in any decision-making process, so we will certainly be consulting the parish council. Once the proposals are fleshed out, we will certainly be consulting with the people of Helsby in some way, shape or form.

'This could be done through their newsletter, an exhibition or a public meeting.'

He added it was too early to say how many jobs would be created by the development or what types of business are likely to take up space on the park.

'It depends on how the planners view this development. We have had initial discussions over the last six months and the response has been encouraging. Hopefully, we will get a planning application before the authority within the first couple of months of the new year.

'It is a very big site and there is room for a considerable diversity of users and uses. We intend to refurbish one of the existing buildings for use as a business centre or office building and that work should commence pretty much immediately, so there will soon be some activity.'

Brookhouse Group is a North West property development and investment company, with a portfolio of properties worth in excess of £170m.

Helsby parish councillor Frank Thomas, who is also chairman of the Cheshire Association of Town and Parish Councils and a long-time member of the parish's BICC liaison panel, said he had heard of the deal earlier in the week.

'I knew something was going to happen. In fact, we were expecting it some months ago,' he said.

Cllr Thomas felt he was not in a position to express an opinion on the idea of having a business park in the village.

He added: 'Anything that brings work into the area could be a good idea.

'Some of the buildings on that site are very old and will have to come down and the services will have to be redeveloped.'

* The news of the site purchase by the Brookhouse Group is expected to be formally announced to members of Helsby Parish Council at their meeting on Monday, December 10 at 7pm in the library in Lower Robin Hood Lane.

Residents are welcome to attend the meeting and will have an opportunity to express any views during an open forum session.