A ‘ground-breaking’ bid to create a Solent freeport that is estimated to create 50,000 jobs has been backed by borough councillors.

At an Eastleigh Borough Council cabinet meeting on Monday, councillors unanimously confirmed their support for the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership’s bid to Government.

A Freeport is a secure customs zone where business can be carried out inside the UK’s land border, but where different customs rules apply including tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures and streamlined planning.

The bid was made on February 5, and if successful, would mean three locations, including Southampton airport, could be granted freeport status bringing an estimated £2 billion in investment.

The Southampton International Airport North East Business Park site has been identified for the development and stretches from the north east corner of the airport to Bishopstoke Road.

As part of their support for the bid, Councillors reaffirmed their backing for the construction of a new road to bypass Eastleigh town centre.

Eastleigh Borough Council leader, Cllr Keith House said the bid “would assist in the future prosperity and financial sustainability of Southampton Airport”.

“The Eastleigh Riverside site, with its excellent communications, is a major asset.

“If the Government is serious about ‘levelling up’ coastal economies, South Hampshire needs a vote of confidence when the Chancellor announces the results of the bidding process.”