THE five locally based companies now expanding on to the Hereford Enterprise Zone (HAZ) are forecasting the creation of more than 140 jobs within the first three years of operation in their new premises.

Among other developments, contractors are building a new facility for construction industry supplier Marches Global and Skylon Court - a £1.7 million mixed unit development is due be completed later this year.

HAZ chairman Bill Jackson also confirmed "advanced talks" over the sale of nine further plots of land, covering another 17 acres.

Known and anticipated sales already add up to 27 acres or 40% of the zone's development land.

Western Power Distribution is the latest investment to "go live" on the zone, with five plots now sold covering more than 10 acres of land with construction investment valued at £4.3m.

Four of the developments are being delivered by local contractors, creating more than 100,000 sq ft of business space.

Local firms re-locating to the zone are also eligible for five years of zero rates provided they meet criteria covering manufacturing, job creation and the offer of apprenticeships.

Along with rate relief, all businesses moving on to Skylon Park are offered a range of incentives including simplified and free planning and superfast and ultrafast broadband.

As of this month, of the five plots sold two businesses have completed the construction of their new premises and are in occupation.

These two companies employed 51 people locally and are forecasting the generation of 47 more jobs within the first three years of operation within their new premises.

Work has started on the other three sites with overall construction investment at £4.3 million.

In total, the five companies - all locally based expansions - employed around 280 people before making their investments and are forecasting the generation of 141 more jobs within the first three years of operation in their new premises.

Business investment on the nine plots now under negotiation is anticipated at more than £10 million with some 180,000 sq ft of new workspace created. Those companies currently employ around 400 people and forecast the creation of 150 new jobs in the first three years on the Zone.

Of those investors, eight are local, with one from elsewhere in the UK.

Skylon Court will offer 1,000 sq ft for rent when it is completed - with that date due in July.

Five companies have already expressed interest in the available units still available - four local, one from elsewhere in the UK.