A MAJOR £12 million business development in Lakeside has been given the thumbs up by Redditch Council's planning committee.

The redevelopment of 110,000 sq ft of manufacturing, distribution and light engineering units on Shawbank Road is set to begin next month.

The scheme is a joint venture between Oakham Developments and Abacus Developments and will enable businesses in Redditch and surrounding areas to buy freehold industrial accommodation.

Oakham Developments director, Andy Griffiths, said it was only the third major development in Redditch in the last five years and aimed to address the town's land shortage.

He said: "There's a wealth of untapped demand from businesses looking to acquire units on a freehold basis, and this is an opportunity for us to give them what they want."

Demolition of the Dana Automotive factory on the site has cleared the way for the two-phase scheme, expected to be complete by early next year.