Economic prosperity in south Hampshire is set to receive a major boost with news that the Chilworth Science Park is set to expand.

Hampshire County Council has accepted an offer from Chilworth Science Park to extend its developable land by a further six acres.

Under the agreement, the Park which is owned by the University of Southampton, will lease adjoining land at Kennels Farm.

The new land will enable the Park to provide science and technology based businesses with approximately 10,000 sq m of accommodation in the years ahead.

The agreement represents a major step forward for the Park which already enjoys a national and international reputation as a home to world class technology-based businesses and emerging enterprises.

The 30 acre Chilworth Science Park is already home to international businesses such as Merck and is also at the centre of the Southampton Enterprise Hub set up by the South East England Development Agency (Seeda).

Hampshire County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber commented "The County Council's Asset Management Sub-Committee approved the leasehold sale to the University after carefully considering the environmental and economic factors affecting the proposals for which planning consent has already been granted by Test Valley Borough Council.

"As a requirement of any development of the site, contributions will be made towards a cycleway between North Baddesley and Southampton, providing a bus service to the Science Park from the University and making major highway improvements to the main access to the Park from the A27."

"This is an exciting opportunity for the local and regional economy to build on the outstanding success of Chilworth Science Park over recent years", commented Dr Don Fox, the park's chief executive.

"No immediate building work is planned, but what this opportunity does it to create the potential for more businesses to benefit from the strong links with the University of Southampton in an environment conducive to success. We are grateful for Hampshire County Council's forward looking policy of encouraging knowledge-based businesses- for these will be the foundation of economic prosperity in the future".

"Whatever the future development, uppermost in our minds will be the needs of the local community" said Dr Fox.

"We will ensure that any new development is fully consistent with the principles of sustainability".