Thousands of jobs and new homes are set to lift the economic gloom in Bridgwater as developers submit blueprints for a credit-crunch busting scheme.

Hallam Land Management has confirmed it will buck the trend by injecting new life into the Sedgemoor economy and pushing ahead with a multi-million pound plan at Little Sydenham Farm.

The ambitious project includes a massive area of retail space, more than 110,000sq metres, which will generate as many as 3,000 jobs.

Company director Nick Duckworth said: "We are very excited to be able to make this planning application at this time. An application

of this scale and quality will, we believe, have a major beneficial economic impact on the town

of Bridgwater."

More than 2,000 homes are also part of the proposals along with a new primary school, play areas, recreational ground and regional distribution centre thanks to investment from Morrisons supermarket.

The vision ties in with Sedgemoor District Council's plans for the regeneration of the area known as the Bridgwater Challenge Scheme.

Mr Duckworth said: "We expect it to give a major boost to the transformation and regeneration of

the town being managed through the Bridgwater Challenge Initiative.

"The council has been clear that they are seeking an employment-led strategy that directly benefits local residents and businesses, and we are particularly pleased to have secured the interest of such a respected company as WM Morrison in this development. "We look forward to working closely with the Council and its partners".

The council says it is delighted to receive a planning application for the mixed use development which will stretch across North East Bridgwater - the area of land which was identified in the Regional Spatial Strategy for employment growth and housing. The area of land covers the old Cellophane factory site and the greenfield land to the north, up to junction 23 of the M5 motorway.

Corporate Director for egeneration at Sedgemoor District Council, Doug Bamsey said: "In times when all you hear about is loss of jobs and cutbacks, it is very exciting that a planning application of this size and benefit to the of Sedgemoor is coming forward. "Obviously, there are many facets to this application, all of which need to be explored thoroughly, but overall, this is the best news for Bridgwater and the surrounding area.

The application is largely outline with full details provided for the Morrisons site, which is proposed to be a regional distribution centre as well as banana ripening centre and vegetable packing centre.

It will also include a new link road off the A38 across the railway line, through the site and onto the Bath Road. There will also be pedestrian and cycleway improvements and a travel plan with public transport service related to other parts of the town.

One wind turbine is also included to help meet Government guidelines that 10 per cent of the energy for the site should be renewable.

Planning chiefs are expected to set aside eight months for the decision process which will allow the Highways Agency and other parties to make a full representation on what is one of the town's biggest ever planning applications.