NORTH Wiltshire could become the UK’s ‘Silicon Valley’ as engineering giant Dyson announce plans to build a new 517-acre technology campus in Hullavington.

The firm are applying for planning permission to build the new centre on the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) land at Hullavington.

Site preparations for phase-one of the Hullavington Campus, which will be situated five miles away from the company’s global headquarters in Malmesbury, will begin next week.

Restoration of the WW2 hangars will begin in May, for occupation from the end of the year, and Dyson have insisted care will be taken to restore the historic buildings on the airfield and respect the aviation heritage.

The airfield was an RAF base until the mid-1990s and in January 2016 was named as one of the 12 to be sold by the MoD as part of its drive for greater efficiency.

Between the two north Wiltshire sites, Dyson hope to bring another 3,500 jobs over the coming years, doubling their current employee numbers in Malmesbury.

Dyson has already committed £250m to its existing 56-acre Malmesbury headquarters, which will also become home to the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology – an education facility the company are hoping to make an accredited university – from September.

Speaking about the ambitious plans, James Dyson said: “After 25 years of UK growth, and continuing expansion globally, we are fast outgrowing our Malmesbury Campus.

“The 517-acre Hullavington Campus is an investment for our future, creating a global hub for our research and development endeavours.

“It will enable us to continue creating world class products and jobs right here in the Cotswolds.”

The Malmesbury Campus has grown from 900 employees to 3,500 over the past five years.

Prime Minister Theresa May has even publicly spoken out about the plans, saying the investment is a “vote of confidence in our modern industrial strategy and our determination to cement the UK’s position as a world leader in high-tech engineering”.

She continued: “Dyson’s exporting strength and commitment to creating jobs in Britain is a real success story that demonstrates the opportunity that our plan to create a truly global Britain can present.

“It is also good to see that the site chosen by James Dyson will bring former MoD land back into productive use.”

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said he said Dyson’s plans are “great news” for the local area.

“It will bring attention on north Wiltshire as a home centre for design and will put us at the forefront of research and development,” he said.

“It could make us the Silicon Valley of the UK.

“There will also be a good number of local jobs come from it.”

Mr Gray said that he didn’t feel any special home building would be required to deal with the influx of new staff to the region.

“New homes won’t be allowed under the county’s strategic plan,” he said.

“It’s not the sort of business you need people living right there for.”

Dr Brian Mathew, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for north Wiltshire, has called for a new town to built to handle the influx or workers.

“It is fantastic news but Dyson are going to have to have their workers live somewhere,” he said.

“If there are going to be a significant number of people working there, we may need to think about a new secondary school, doctors surgery, or a pub or two.

“If it is really planned properly, it could be made into a wonderful example of how to do this kind of thing.”

Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said of the plans: “We have worked closely with Dyson to help secure this site and I’m delighted that this world-leading company has chosen Hullavington for its future expansion.

“It shows their commitment to Wiltshire and to delivering high skilled, high quality jobs, which will bring huge opportunities, particularly for young people.

“Wiltshire Council has a firm commitment to boosting the local economy, and this good news underlines Wiltshire as a high quality business location.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Dyson on the next phase of their development plan.”

Speaking about the plans, Wiltshire Council member Simon Killane said it was “amazing news” that Dyson were investing so much in the area, however said he expects Hullavington residents may be fearful of the plans.

“It is a brilliant place for more employment,” he said.

“Villagers will always be concerned about what it means to them, but I think Dyson are good at listening to people and alleviating locals’ concerns.

“They did a lot of work in Malmesbury to improve the road network.

“This could be really great for Hullavington.”