First employer will move to former RAF base six months late

THE first employer to move to the former RAF Locking camp has been delayed by six months.

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, a precision tools maker, will now not complete its move from its current base, in Yatton, until summer 2009.

The company had intended to relocate to Locking Parklands, an employment-led development on the old airbase run by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and English Partnerships in December.

But the Government agencies' delay in choosing a developer means that their first tenant will now not move on to the site until summer next year.

Speaking about the hold-up, finance director Keith Edwards said: "There are a variety of reasons for the delay.

"The agencies have a shortlist of two developers, which each have a different view regarding the utilities infrastructure. The hope is to start building in July 2008.

"We are continuing to work closely with the agencies and North Somerset Council."

Last month SWRDA's area director, Ian Knight, said: "We do not expect the delay to have any significant impact on the long-term delivery of Locking Parklands.

It is important to remember that any site of this size and importance can take 10 to 15 years to develop and minor delays along the way are inevitable.