SOUTHEND is set to receive a business boost after planning for a huge new expansion at the airport business park was given the green light.

The Airport Business Park, in Rochford, has grown rapidly in recent years and developers Henry Boot have completed a new £15million development at the site.

The huge new £15million development has now been handed over to Ipeco Holdings, a leading aircraft seating manufacturer.

Now, planning permission has been granted for a further 75,000sq ft expansion.

Last October, an £8million state of the art business complex - named the Launchpad - was also completed and the new planning permission has sparked hopes of more big-name businesses coming to the area.

Henry Boot is yet to confirm who will operate the new units and join the likes of major employer, Ipeco Holdings, on the business park but the news has been welcomed.

Matt Dent, Southend councillor for business, welcomed the “terrific news” and hopes more businesses will follow.

He said: “Anything we can do that expands the business in Southend and the surrounding areas is fantastic.

“The airport business plan is a brilliant opportunity for the city to bring in new businesses and expand existing ones.

“I think this is fantastic news for everyone involved.

“I hope to see a lot more businesses moving into the business park, I hope to see some exciting and innovative businesses take up residence, and that it will continue to thrive as it has so far.

“I think the business park is a brilliant asset for the city and hope we can continue to build on that.”

Henry Boot has confirmed it now has planning permission for a further 75,000sq ft across two units at the business park – and these will be marketed to potential buyers on a “design and build basis”. Work is set to begin at the start of 2025.

Tim Roberts, CEO of Henry Boot, said: “We look forward to maintaining our partnership with Southend Council as Airport Business Park Southend continues to establish itself as a leading industrial and logistics hub in the region.

“Achieving further planning permission allows us to continue to meet high occupier demand and ease the critical undersupply of industrial space that exists in the Southend area.”