MORE than 5,000 new jobs are to be created in Barnsley after plans for a business park near the M1 were approved.
A report which set out the business case for the creation of the 'strategic business park' on the M1 junction 36 was given the green light on Monday.
This will allow work to take place on the key highway connections along the Dearne Valley Parkway.
It could be worth as much as £3 billion to the Barnsley economy.
A council spokesperson said: "It will provide businesses with the right infrastructure they need to thrive and is essential in helping to attract and retain new and existing businesses.
"This in turn will create a more competitive private sector employment base. There will be a significant impact on the number and proportion of private sector jobs in Barnsley.
"In total the sites are estimated to bring forward 2,497 jobs by 2024 and 4,744 jobs by the end of 2033. In addition, due to the scale of the scheme, it will further develop a minimum of 110 construction jobs."
Following a procurement exercise, highways work will begin during October.
