A MAJOR development company is to invest £60 million in Ely to create hundreds of new jobs. Mantle Estates, based in Essex, has bought a 32-acre site at Angel Drove for more than £4 million. The site has planning permission for more than 385,000 square ft

A MAJOR development company is to invest £60 million in Ely to create hundreds of new jobs.

Mantle Estates, based in Essex, has bought a 32-acre site at Angel Drove for more than £4 million.

The site has planning permission for more than 385,000 square ft of employment use and 1,430 parking spaces.

Russell Tame, development director of Mantle, said: "This is an important site for Ely in terms of its potential for employment use, and it will be instrumental in providing a large number of jobs for the area."

Existing planning permission for the site will be updated to include uses more suited towards current employment requirements with the aim of starting on site early this year.

East Cambridgeshire District Council executive director, David Archer, said: "Ely has seen a huge number of new homes built in the last few years, but relatively little employment development. There is now a serious imbalance in housing growth and job opportunities locally. As a council, we need to work to create more job opportunities locally to ensure this growth is balanced and sustainable.

"Having bought the land at Angel Drove, Mantle Estates intends to create employment opportunities and we look forward to working in partnership with them over the next few months to ensure they succeed in their aim."

The site was bought from Berkeley Commercial which was advised by estate agent, Savills.