More than 6,000 new jobs will be created in Shropshire if a multi-million pound development boasting hundreds of homes, a hotel, sports and leisure facilities and a business area gets the go-ahead.

Bosses at Bovale, which owns the site of the former Celestica factory in Priorslee, Telford, said the Lakeside Development would attract millions of pounds worth of investment.

They claimed it would give the area one of the biggest single jobs boosts it has ever had.

The factory, which closed at the end of last year with the loss of 665 jobs, is now being demolished to prepare the 61-hectares of land to the north and west of Priorslee Lake for the transformation. The development of 600 homes, 60,000 sq metres for employment uses, a learning campus for people aged 11-21, a hotel, and sports and leisure facilities could be completed in 18 months.

The initial plans for Telford’s “high-tech corridor” on the Castle Farm Campus were exclusively revealed by the Shropshire Star in August.

However, bosses at Bovale, which part owns the site with Telford & Wrekin Council, said the plan first submitted to planning chiefs had to be amended, but, following discussions, they were now hopeful council officers would back it.

Megan Dunmore, Bovale spokeswoman, said: “We hope the Lakeside Development will be taking shape in the next 12 to 18 months. The plans are still under review and negotiation.

“The initial plans included development around the lake, but that has changed now.

“The application is now back with planners with a slightly revised plan for the development, taking into consideration Bovale will not be doing any commercial development around the lakeside.

“Bovale listened to local comment and moved away from developing the North shore. We’ve got a revised masterplan in, but it’s still being negotiated.”

Mrs Dunmore added: “Ultimately the developers think they are going to generate around 6,000 jobs by the completion.”

Residents of Priorslee were given the chance to see the plans at a series of public meetings, where many said they feared they were losing too much green space.

by Kirsty Marston