ABOUT 300 jobs will be created if a major office development and a 90-bedroom care home on land off London Road in Salisbury get planning approval.

Four new office buildings are planned for land between London Road and the main Salisbury-to-London railway line and the largest office complex will be occupied by a "major local employer" who wants to relocate from the city centre.

The identity of the employer is not being revealed because legal documents and leases have not yet been signed.

David Civil, of Danescroft Commercial Developments Ltd, this week revealed to the Journal the company's plans to turn what was to be known as Salisbury trade park into the Salisbury office park.

Mr Civil said market forces had prevented the former site owners from pushing ahead with their trade park plans.

Now, Danescroft intends using the three-acre site for a complex of eye-catching offices for which there is "a big demand".

He said: "We believe the use of the land for a well laid-out office park is much better for Salisbury and local residents.

"The proposed scheme will create up to 300 jobs, in addition to addressing a current chronic shortage of care beds within the city."

The 90-bed care home for the elderly will be run by Westminster Health Care, added Mr Civil. The company has been searching for suitable premises in the Salisbury area for some time.

Mr Civil said: "They estimate a current shortage of more than 240 beds and, with others, are in discussion with the primary care trust to try and alleviate the shortfall."

Mr Civil said the new office park would allow "a major local employer" to relocate, enabling that company to consolidate its business in one modern building, without the need to relocate outside the district.

The new offices will be marketed by estate agents Myddelton & Major.

In a statement, Myddelton & Major said: "The development of a comprehensive scheme on the site by Danescroft will enable us to offer high-quality offices to local businesses, in addition to enabling one of our major and long-standing employers to remain within the city. The scheme will greatly enhance the range and quality of available business space in Salisbury."

Mr Civil said the first phase of the development of the London Road site had comprised the Leapfrog nursery and a health and fitness club leased to Cannons.

The health and fitness club has been empty ever since it was built, but Mr Civil told the Journal he understood Cannons would be "fitting it out very soon" and that it could soon be up and running.

Mr Civil said a planning application for the new Salisbury office park and the care home has just been submitted to Salisbury district council.

The land already has planning permission as a trade park but this permission does not cover its use for offices and a care home.