PLANNING permission has been granted for a major development at Catsbrain Farm near South Marston which could lead to several hundred new jobs.

In 2014, two applications were submitted, one for a residential scheme and the other for a petrol station along with other roadside facilities.

These have both been given approval and in February a third application went in to put up a number of light industrial units.

The developments are designed to meet demand for services in the area.

Like many places in the country, Swindon is facing high demand for elderly care places so one section of currently undeveloped land, adjacent to Fitzwarren House, will be dedicated to easing this issue.

There will be a 40-bedroom dementia care home and 120 close care apartments with facilities such as a shop, library and hydrotherapy pool.

Associated Care, behind the development, said: “Planning policy identifies a clear need to adapt to demographic changes in the Swindon area. The provision of modern, high-quality care facilities in the borough will therefore create significant social benefit for elderly people within the local community.

“The development will generate significant economic benefits. This will include between a direct 80 and 100 jobs, additional construction jobs, as well as opportunities for small businesses that will be able to provide services within the care village.”

The roadside facility element of development is designed to take advantage of the sites proximity to the Honda factory and other large businesses located in the area, such as B&Q.

As well as the petrol station, there will also be a restaurant and a number of takeaways, with will also lead to the creation of dozens of new jobs.

In a report with the application, the developers said: “The focus of the proposed development is now clearly directed at serving the adjacent industrial and logistics estates, and not least the Honda UK manufacturing plant, which employs 3,000 people.

“This application will generate substantial economic and employment benefits for the local community. In terms of the volume of employment, which the application proposals will generate, the roadside facilities element will create approximately 100 jobs.”

The application for the units is for outline permission so no design for the site has been put forward but the site will be geared towards smaller businesses.