BUSINESSES are being sought to take up residence at an expanding business park off London Road.

The construction of four new buildings at Duttons Business Centre is on track for completion by the end of this year.

Wynne Construction is in charge of the build, appointed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to take the business park in Dock Road to 10 units.

Graham Dickson, contracts manager at Wynne Construction, said: "Everything has been going smoothly so far and we are pleased with the progress made.

"One of the reasons things are coming along well is our solution for installing the foundations.

"Due to ground conditions we have been able to bypass the traditional method of digging trenches to complete foundations, and then constructing the floor, by using a concrete raft construction.

"Not only is it quicker and easier, it's more cost effective for the client as well.

"There is an educational building adjacent to the site and it's currently exam season. We have had close communication with the school to accommodate their timetable and avoid making noise during exams.

"We have also reduced vehicle journeys to and from site. One half of the site needed to be raised to make it level with the rest of the area, and we used recyclable material from the old building, which was demolished and crushed, as aggregate fill to achieve this.

"Our team is working hard to ensure the client is delivered quality buildings on time and to budget.

"This is our first contract with Cheshire West and Chester Council and we are looking forward to having the opportunity to develop a long working relationship with them in the same way we have with other clients in Wales."

Each unit will be 258sq m, with enough height to install a first floor mezzanine if necessary. They also come with on-site car parking and solar panels on the roof to re-generate electricity.

Throughout the £1.2m project, as part of CWAC's 'Property Reinvestment Programme', Wynne Construction will employ approximately 50 people ranging from direct employees to subcontractors.

The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Cllr Brian Clarke, CWAC cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: "Businesses in Northwich, or those looking to relocate or expand into the area, will soon have an ideal base.

"The units will be completed to a shell finish and the tenants will be able to fit out to suit their own processes."

You can contact the council's property team on 01606 271704.