More than 650 jobs are set to be created by a new multi-million pound business park on the outskirts of Rochdale.

The development, which will be know as Crown Business Park, will provide 260,000 sq ft of office and industrial space close to junction 20 of the M62.

The project is a joint venture between Centric Property Group and Barnfield Construction and the first phase, which will cost £9.2m, is set to be finished by summer 2011.

This will create a fifth of the overall development space and will open up the rest of the 18-acre site for future phases.

Simon Danczuk, Rochdale's MP, said: "I welcome any development that is going to help provide jobs in Rochdale.

"I’m particularly pleased that the park will have an emphasis on space for small and medium size businesses. SMEs are the backbone of our local economy and more provision for them is very helpful."

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), said: "This is an important development for Rochdale, and we are pleased to see it is moving forward again. RDA has been working closely with the developers to help them secure part of the funding for the scheme.

"It is another sign of positive investment with developers continuing to show confidence in the borough."

The project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) who provided £3.2m to prepare the site.

David Malpass director of European Programme for the Northwest said: "Located close to junction 20 of the M62, Crown Business Park will become part of the region’s portfolio of sub-regionally important employment sites. This development will provide much needed quality buildings to the Rochdale market.

"It has the opportunity to attract SME companies to the local area, in particular those in the financial and business services sector, creating jobs and boosting the local economy."