A BUSINESS site could be demolished to make way for a brand new development, creating more than 350 jobs.

EPISO 3 Tree Investment Properties has applied to Braintree Council to build industrial units, storage and distribution units at Springwood Industrial Estate.

The first phase of development includes the demolition of the current disused buildings, and the building of 23 industrial units.

A further eight units will be built in the second phase.

The redevelopment of Bradbury Works will provide a new workplace- the 3.6 hectare site is largely empty and the current buildings are beyond repair.

Chris Green, director at Town Planning Services, the agent for the application, said: "The proposed development represents a substantial investment in Braintree.

"It will regenerate the existing vacant site to provide approximately 18,000sqm of employment floorspace, with the potential to generate in excess of 350 new jobs.

"The proposal will regenerate a derelict industrial estate, high quality premises will be provided, the land is allocated for employment purposes in the development plan and the development will not result in any adverse impacts."

Gary Millar, owner of Armill Lift Trucks Ltd in Springwood Industrial Estate, said the plans would be good for the economy but infrastructure would need to be improved first.

He said: "Anything that brings jobs and improves the economy for the local area is a good thing- however Springwood is a nightmare when companies finish for the day, it can take up to 40 minutes some evenings to get off the estate, sometimes even longer than that.

"Add more companies into the mix this would make it unbearable, I think if the plans are to go ahead Braintree council first needs to open up the other end of Springwood, near Xpect Health and Fitness, to allow traffic to enter and exit from both ends."

Braintree Council will have the final say on the plans.