Silverstone plan approved with promise of 8,500 jobs

Outline planning permission has been granted for a project at Silverstone Circuit that could create 8,500 jobs.

Planners have given the green light to circuit managers to begin work on a 20-year project at the Northamptonshire site to attract new businesses.

Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips said the planned development was a big step forward.

"It is probably one of the biggest planning applications made in England in recent times," he said.

"But it's great for the region even if it is only at planning stage," he said.

"You can see roads, infrastructure and heights of buildings from the application but it's more or less selling off these plans at this stage.

"A number of companies have expressed interest in moving to Silverstone.

"Now we can talk to them specifically about where they can go and what they can do.

"The next step is to get the infrastructure in place and begin the work."