PLANS have been drawn up to create four units on agricultural land near the Haydock Industrial Estate which applicants claim would create more than 350 jobs.

Proposals, submitted to the council, seek to create units, with 27,873 square metres for distribution use and up to 6,968 square metres to be allocated for industrial use with ancillary offices, security gatehouses, car parking, service yards, infrastructure and landscaping.

The application states: "The proposal would result in the creation of 362 jobs and contribute £48.8m to the economy during the construction phase and £22.5 million every year during its operation.

"The development will realise a number of benefits to local business, the local economy, local communities by providing employment opportunities".

Plans added the proposal would also "realise a benefit to local residents in providing material attenuation to help reduce the potential risk of flooding downstream of this site".

They said: "The assessment of this site’s significance has been undertaken and the conclusions are that this site does not make a significant contribution to the Green Belt and that the benefits that could be realised from its development entail that this site should come forward for development as an extension to the Haydock Industrial Estate to meet current needs and support economic growth".

Proposals are on public consultation until New Year's Day.