PLANS for a multi-million pound extension to Scarborough Business Park go before councillors this week, with a recommendation they are approved.

Caddick Developments Ltd wants to develop 83 acres of land, south of the existing park near Eastfield, to build car showrooms, a hotel, offices and retail units, together with parking and landscaping.

Head of planning services for Scarborough Borough Council, Gordon Somerville, says in a report to the authority's development and regulation committee that the new park is expected to take ten years to complete.

The development is acceptable in principle because the land, currently in agricultural use, is designated for industry and business.

However, extensive archeological investigations have to be carried out because the area is "rich in important archeological remains", particularly with the famous Starr Carr site nearby.

Mr Somerville said a "substantial" grant is in line from the European Union to cover major infrastructure costs, but a decision on the application has to be made soon to qualify for the money.

If councillors give approval at their meeting on Thursday, the scheme will have to go to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for his backing, because the council is both the landowner and developer partner.

The new park is expected to attract tens of millions of pounds worth of investment and create hundreds of jobs.