Crawley, still reeling from the economic impact of September 11, has received a New Year jobs boost.

A £30 million office development is likely to create up to 200 jobs in Crawley, which is heavily reliant on the crisis-hit airline industry.

Crawley Borough Council has granted outline planning consent to Salmon Harvester Properties for a 106,000sqft four-storey development at the junction of Manor Royal and Gatwick Road.

It will include three interconnecting buildings, with parking for about 300 cars. Units will range in size from 25,000 to 50,000sqft.

No tenants have yet been confirmed but the developers said they were confident there would be takers for the project, which is being marketed at a quoted rent of about £242 per sqm.

Salmon Harvester said it was aware of concern about the situation in the airline industry but remained confident companies would be interested.

Director Doug Stewart said: "We have seen good take-up of office space in the South-East recently but there are no headquarter offices of this size and quality in the area."

Work is due to start next year, with completion expected in 18 months.