WORK to build an industrial park measuring a million square feet by Junction 17 has been given the go-ahead.

St. Modwen has got the green light to start the first phase of its 79-acre industrial park, formerly the Chippenham Gateway, adjacent to the M4 junction to Chippenham.

The developer has got permission to begin work on two speculative commercial units, each measuring 200,000 sq ft, the size of nearly three football pitches.

The development met with firm local opposition when the plans were first proposed in 2017.

The planning application attracted more than 400 objections from residents concerned about it being built on green field land, increased in traffic, and drainage issues, leading to a number of revisions from the developer.

Mark Thorne, senior planning manager for St. Modwen, said: "In line with the outline permission granted last year after 18 months of discussions and negotiations with Wiltshire Council, local residents and key stakeholders, we are delighted to have now been given the go-ahead on plans for the first phase of St. Modwen Park Chippenham.

"Our initial engagement was imperative to ensure that appropriate measures were included in our plans to address local concerns around traffic, landscaping, drainage, skills and training opportunities.

“Chippenham is one of our key industrial and logistics developments in the region, and is an attractive option for potential occupiers.

"We have already had a significant level of interest and starting work on the first phase of speculative construction will help us meet demand and attract further inward investment and jobs to Chippenham.”

The company says the construction phase will create 185 jobs for people, offering apprenticeships in partnership with Wiltshire College.

Once completed it will consist of five units totalling a million square foot.