A PLAN for a new roundabout in Salisbury Road to service the long-awaited Marlborough business park has been welcomed by town councillors.

There have been demands in Marlborough for an industrial estate or business park for the past 40 years.

Only in the past five years has land east of Salisbury Road been earmarked as a business park.

The land is owned by the Crown Estates, which has received an offer subject to planning permission.

The company behind the development of the 15-acre site, of which almost nine acres has consent for commercial use, is called Marlborough Business Park Ltd but nothing is known about it.

Joint selling agents Carter Jonas and Dreweatt Neate said the developers do not wish to be identified until planning hurdles have been cleared.

The site was advertised for £900,000 but it is known that any developer would also have to find a further £1million to pay for the new roundabout, together with associated roadworks on the Marlborough-Salisbury road.

On Monday the initial plans for the highways works went before Marlborough Town Council planning committee which welcomed them.

Deputy Mayor Graham Francis, who was formerly the town council planning chairman, said: "I think we must say this is long overdue.

"It will bring about a great improvement in safety on that hill because at the moment vehicles are travelling much too fast up and down it."

Coun Mel Curtis said: "To get a business park in Marlborough is very important and could be the start of something big."

Coun Nick Fogg made a plea for subtle lighting for the new roundabout .

He said: This is part of an area of outstanding natural beauty after all."