Angus Council is consulting on proposals for the facility and the submission of the pre-planning application notice for the site to the west of Elliot Industrial Estate is the authority's first step in the projected 12-year development plan for a new business park.

The council is proposing the development of the site in two phases; with phase one to be carried out in the next two years. This would be followed by a second round of development about 10 years later, when it is estimated that the initial development would be approaching full occupancy.

The completed business park would provide around 28 plots, ranging from 0.5 acres/0.2 hectares to 5 acres/2 hectares, for sale for general industrial, manufacturing, storage and distribution, and office uses.

New access roads from the existing estate would be installed as would services to each development plot. Based upon employment levels at Arbroath Enterprise Park, it is estimated that over 1,000 jobs could be accommodated on a fully occupied site.

Commenting on the proposals, the council's economic development spokesman, Councillor David May, said: "This development would be a big investment in Arbroath's future – creating a supply of business land in the town for the next 20 years.

"We are currently working on the detailed costings to confirm the project's financial viability. If the costs stack up the development could start sometime in 2011."

Councillor May said the new development would address the town's growing shortage of business development sites: "The proposed business park would boost Arbroath's potential for economic growth. Without it businesses expansion and new investment opportunities will be severely limited."

The council is displaying the project plans at the Harbour Visitor Centre, Fishermarket Quay, Arbroath, from Monday, to Friday, February 22 to 26, to gather people's views as part of the pre-planning application consultation process.

The display will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with an extended session on Wednesday, February 24, when council officers will be on hand between 4 and 7 p.m. to take questions and note any comments on the proposals.

For further information or to submit comments on the proposals interested parties are asked to call Derek Bean on 01307 473199 or email: BeanDJ@angus.gov.uk