A MASSIVE new technology park costing more than £100 million is being proposed for the same town which is at odds over the SnOasis development.Developers the Braceforce Group are set to announce their bid for the St James' Technology Park at Great Blakenham next week.

A MASSIVE new technology park costing more than £100 million is being proposed for the same town which is at odds over the SnOasis development.

Developers the Braceforce Group are set to announce their bid for the St James' Technology Park at Great Blakenham next week.

If the development goes ahead it could deliver between 700 and 1000 jobs to the area.

In total, the development would create 500,000 square feet of space for technology related industry.

Few details of the proposal have been released but it will centre on land called Blackacre Hill.

A launch of the development proposal is planned for April 28 at Orion Park at Great Blakenham.

Among the plans for the site are for it to be extensively landscaped, including significant new tree planting.

Mid Suffolk District Council today said it has not yet received any planning application for the proposed development.

The prospect of the £330million SnOasis winter sports project has created a storm in Great Blakenham, with some arguing it would bring economic benefits to the region and others saying existing residents would be adversely affected.

A spokesman for the Braceforce Group said the technology park would be half a mile from the A14 at Great Blakenham, but very much separate from the proposed SnOasis winter sports complex.

Leslie Short, of planning consultants Peecock Short, said: "The layout of Blackacre Hill is about 36 acres of land in total and of the floor space that's proposed about 300,000 square feet is what we call B1 floorspace. That means offices, research and development, that sort of thing.

"The other 200,000 square feet is B8 use, which is warehouse, logistics and distribution.

"An outline application for the use of the land, together with roads, services, ancillary works and strategic landscape has been submitted.

"It's too early to say how many businesses will be involved, but the company have on their books between 40 and 50 firm inquiries for floor space, which could range in size from 1,500 square feet up to 10,000 square feet.

"It's a major boost to job creation. A lot of those inquiries will come from companies who are not presently represented in the locality, as well as those who are, but are looking to expand."

Mr Short said there would be extensive consultations with the parish council and other interested groups.

The Braceforce Group is also behind plans for a £75m development on the Ipswich waterfront, which will include three hotels.

The project, at St Peter's Port between College Street and Star Lane, will also include a restaurant, a shopping centre, apartments and an underground car park, if given the green light.

N What do you think about the prospect of a new technology park for Great Blakenham? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.