WORK is underway on a £4.4 million project to build six new industrial units in the heart of Purbeck.

Dorset Council has commissioned the build, at the Dorset Innovation Park, in Winfrith Newburgh.

Spetisbury Construction will build the new structures, ranging from 200 sqm to 600 sqm, funded from the council’s capital budget.

The innovation park is Dorset’s only economic development site with Enterprise Zone status, offering office space, workshop facilities and fully-serviced commercial employment land.

The park is home to a range of businesses, including Qinetiq, Atlas, and Norco, plus the Ministry of Defence, who have a presence at the Defence Battlelab.

The new units are set to be completed in December.

Cllr Peter Wharf, Dorset Councillor 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.”

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Justin Ives, managing director of Spetisbury Construction, added: “Spetisbury Construction have worked alongside Dorset Council on numerous projects over the last 20 years and 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.”