A £900,000 investment in new industrial space is set to take place in Malvern Link.

Bristol-based Crimson Developments Ltd wants to build ten industrial units on redundant farmland at Haysfield Industrial Park, off Spring Lane North.

The firm, which specialises in building small industrial units, has applied for planning permission to Malvern Hills District Council. The average size of the units would be 1,500 square feet.

If planning permission is granted, work should get underway by late summer and be completed by the beginning of 2004.

Director Myles Robinson, a former pupil at Malvern College, said the company's research showed there was a demand for such units in Malvern.

"I will be offering them for sale and to let," he said. "They have proved very popular in other places."

Mr Robinson said the range of businesses occupying similar units varied enormously, from furniture storage to toy makers, with most being used for office and warehouse/workshop space.

MHDC research and marketing officer Adrian Field agreed there was a shortage of units in the size proposed.

"Although we've yet to comment specifically on this application, initial reactions are that if the application leads to local job creation and new businesses starting up or expanding, then we would look upon the application favour-ably," he said.

Elsewhere in Malvern Link, a £30,000 expansion of industrial units at Howsell Road could be on the cards.

Site owner Colwyn Church-field, also proprietor of Churchfield Engineering, has applied to build two new units and four lock-up garages.

If approved, he will move his precision engineering business into the units, creating more space for tenants in his existing buildings. The work is expected to be completed by July.

Council planners will consider both applications over the coming weeks.