A BUSINESS park which could bring a thousand new jobs to Canvey Island has seen its first unit rented out with more due to move in soon.

Construction of the Roscommon Way business park is speeding ahead, with companies lining up to move in.

Developers, the Inner London Group completed preliminary ground works for the 25-acre business park earlier this year, covering the whole site rather than in phases.

This included the construction of a “spine road” through the middle of the site.

Larry Fentiman, partner with the Inner London Group, which is also behind plans for the £100million Marine Plaza development on Southend seafront, said: “It is going well.

“We’ve completed one 25,000 sq ft building - equivalent in size to about ten detached homes - which is occupied by a cleaning material company.

“Another 15,000 sq ft building - about a quarter of a football pitch - is being built at the moment and is due to be occupied soon.

“On the other side of the first building will be a 40,000 sq ft building - the same as 20 tennis courts - which will be occupied by a well known perfume company which will employ quite a few people.

“We are hoping to start four other blocks this year, with seven business in each block and for the last two, we are looking at trade outlets like Screwfix. They will be occupied by six different operations.

“When you think we only started the buildings six to eight months ago its going really well.”

The park is the size of around 12 football pitches was originall expected to create more 600 new jobs for residents living on Canvey but one Castle Point councillor believes it could be many more. .

Norman Smith, Conservative councillor for Boyce ward is set to move a business onto the site next month.

Mr Smith, who owns UK Shelving is in the process of moving his business from Northwick Road to the new premises.

He said: “This is good for local people and stops people having to travel off the island. We are hoping lots of new companies will be coming in there to create jobs for local people.

“Once the whole site is occupied I reckon it could create 1,00 jobs. I’m quite excited about it. It’s looking good and is a good news story for Castle Point.”

Mr Smith added: “The new building is great with terrific views over the Thames Estuary. We’re very pleased.”