SOUTH Essex has been given a major boost after a minister revealed a huge business park will create 2,000 more jobs than originally expected.

Work on the £150million Saxon Business Park, off Cherry Orchard Way, Rochford, is set to begin this summer.

Rochford and Southend Councils, which have worked together to push forward the scheme, have drawn up an action plan, which reveals further details about the benefits of the development.

Mark Francois, Thames Gateway Minister and Tory MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, visited the site to see first hand how the business park, mostly funded by the Government and developer Henry Boot Construction, will benefit the area.

He said the site, next to Southend Airport, will create more than 7,000 skilled jobs- 2,000 more than previously expected.

He said: “There are massive investments being made in the Thames Gateway, and Southend Airport’s growth has already been a game changer for local people.

“That’s why I’m pleased to see councils leaders grasping the opportunity it provides and I look forward to seeing how their plans to create thousands of good new jobs take off.”

The new action plan states 4,200 of the jobs will be created between now and 2021, with 2,000 more coming after that.

A further 1,180 additional jobs will be created at Southend Airport as a result of the business park, according to the plan.

The business park will include Anglia Ruskin University’s MedTech campus, a 90-bedroom hotel, a pub and restaurant, and be home to big name firms and high-tech businesses.

Its units are being targeted at engineering and aviation firms.

John Lamb, leader of Southend Council, said: “Our ambitious plans with Rochford are a once in a generation opportunity to bring in significant private sector investment and generate thousands of new jobs in attractive, modern business premises in the area around London Southend Airport.

“Our vision with Rochford is crucial to the area’s future prosperity so I am delighted that these two key planning consents have now been granted and we have appointed Henry Boot Developments Ltd as our development partner to enable the plans to go ahead. Infrastructure works will be starting shortly.”

Terry Cutmore, leader of Rochford District Council, added: “The regeneration of the airport has already created massive employment opportunities and the realisation that it could create in the region of 7,000 additional jobs, as well as ensuring both the Rochford and Southend area benefit from infrastructure improvements accompanying development.”