A NEW £1-million workplace nursery and much- needed larger business units are expected to give a huge boost to Callington's Moss Side Industrial Estate and employment opportunities in the town following the thumbs up from Caradon District Council. At the council's cabinet meeting recently approval was given to dispose of the land for the two projects with the hope that more units will be built on the eight and a half acre extension to the industrial estate which has been earmarked in the new local plan. The 24-place nursery for Cornwall County Council Family Services will be built with a capital grant of £863,000 from the Department of Schools and Families. Caradon has agreed to lease the land to the county council for a peppercorn rent. It will be close to the town's largest employer, Tamar Foods. The grant is conditional on the facility being available for 25 years and is expected to be welcomed in the town where nursery provision is scarce — two nurseries have closed down for financial reasons in the last two years. Head of Caradon District Council's economic and community services Steve Vinson said the nursery would help women who wanted to return to work, and single parent families. 'Moss Side is the town's largest industrial site so it is a good place for the nursery which will help the employment side of things in Callington,' he said. 'The need for larger business units was also identified in the Callington Town Plan of 2005. Caradon itself has units of up to 600 sq ft but there is a need for larger units for firms who want to expand but stay in the town.' Mr Vinson said a developer had come forward who was interested in building units of 2,000 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft. 'The intention is to build one large unit which could be split into two smaller units, depending on the demand,' said Mr Vinson. District and town councillor Chris Thomas said it was great news for Callington: 'The nursery will be of huge benefit to the town and will give parents the ability to return to work. 'It is something we need more of in Callington, especially with all the extra homes the town will have to accommodate. 'Some 70,000 homes are expected to be built in Cornwall over the next 18 years and Callington will have its share. 'We need to get the infrastructure and the jobs to cater for all the new families that will be living here.' A Cornwall County Council spokesperson said the nursery would provide places for children aged from birth to 5 years of age and out of school care for older children. It would hopefully be operating by April 2009. The nursery will also have space that will be available for hire by the local community. Cornwall County Council's executive member for children, young people and families Terry Lello said: 'This project is a wonderful example of the advantages of partnership working making a real difference to people. 'A need for childcare centres has been identified within Callington which will be met thanks to a joint effort between us and Caradon District Council.'