Plans for a major redevelopment on part of Wrexham Industrial Estate could create more than 130 new jobs, it's been claimed.

Proposals have been submitted which would result in 33 existing business units at the Bridgeway Centre site being demolished.

It comes as owners FI Real Estate Management Ltd (FIREM) want to create a new business park in the same location off Bridge Road, which would contain 52 units.

The development, which would cover up to 3.4 hectares of land, includes eight blocks of buildings with a combined floorspace of 10,300 square metres.

Agents acting for the company behind the scheme said the plans were partly aimed at meeting a demand for business units caused by the the opening of the nearby HMP Berwyn prison in 2017.

In a planning statement, they said: “Wrexham county borough's economy has been transformed in the past twenty years from one dominated by heavy and traditional industry into a major high tech manufacturing technology and services hub.

“It is FIREM’s experience that demand for good quality, reasonably priced, well profiled and modern employment units, available on traditional and flexible lease arrangements at Wrexham Industrial Estate, remains very strong, and if anything is likely to grow.

“The development of the North Wales prison on the estate has had the effect of boosting market demand at the estate as supply chain and affiliated companies seek to locate/ expand close to the facility.

“The increase in floorspace brings an opportunity for circa 134 full time equivalent additional jobs which is a considerable benefit of the proposed development.

“The proposed development would be a tremendous asset to Wrexham Industrial Estate and Wrexham and would add considerably to its assets as a major centre for employment serving its current local and regional catchment.”

According to the proposals, work on the new units would be carried out in phases to prevent disruption to existing businesses.

Firms based at the Bridgeway Centre will be offered the chance to relocate within the site or to other units owned by the company on the estate.

A block of commercial units at the site, which is currently home to shops and food and drink outlets, would also be retained and refurbished.

It's expected Wrexham Council will make a decision on the application at a later date.