Work has started on the construction of six new industrial units at the Dorset Innovation Park in Wool.

Dorset Council recently appointed local Dorset firm Spetisbury Construction to build six industrial units, at the site in Winfrith Newburgh.

The units will range from 200m2 to 600m2, and will cost £4.4 million, which is being funded from the council’s capital budget.

The Dorset Innovation Park is Dorset's only economic development site with Enterprise Zone status.

Dorset Council has seen the number of businesses and employees on the site grow over the last few years and has invested in these units to support local business development.

The new units will provide an opportunity for further business to relocate to the park. once completed in December 2024.

Cllr Peter Wharf, Dorset Council elected member for West Purbeck, said:

“The Dorset Innovation Park is a significant asset for the county. Investment is vitally important for our economic growth ambitions, and these new buildings will provide a space for companies seeking to develop.

“This will bring job opportunities for local people, as well as expansion space for those businesses already on site. I am very much looking forward to seeing these units built and can’t wait to see which new businesses come in and use them.”

The park offers office space, workshop facilities and fully serviced commercial employment land with benefits such as simplified planning, and full fibre accessibility.

It is developing as an advanced engineering cluster for the south west, building on the marine, defence, energy, and cyber-security industries all ready at the site.

It is home to a range of innovative businesses, including Qinetiq, Atlas, and Norco, plus the Ministry of Defence who have a presence at the Defence Battlelab situated on site.

Justin Ives, managing director of Spetisbury Construction, added:

“Spetisbury Construction has worked alongside Dorset Council on numerous projects over the last 20 years and it has been great to be involved in this most recent and exciting project.

"Our close work with the project team starting over a year ago has resulted in the development of the initial concept to a fully considered design.

“The project has evolved and changed shape on several occasions to meet the needs of the target market however it is now great to be on site and into the construction phase.

"We look forward to delivering this project later in the year and on to future projects with the council's team.

"Spetisbury Construction are a regional Chartered Building Company and are proud to be part of the Dorset Council Framework.”