A NEW science park in Gaerwen will bring high-paid, high-skilled private-sector jobs to Anglesey “for the first time”.

Speaking at a packed booth in the Anglesey Show on Tuesday, former MP and AM Ieuan Wyn Jones, director of the new Menai Science Park, said the £10 million project just off the A55 will be the only one its kind in Wales.

He said: “This is the first time we’ve been to the show, and the response we’ve had to the park has been fantastic.

“People are interested.

“What we wanted to do here is explain firstly what a science park is – it’s not a business park or an industrial estate – it’s a place to develop technology, projects and ideas.

“It’s a necessity for the country, but there’s nothing like it anywhere in Wales.

“This park won’t solve all our problems, but it will make a big contribution.”

A planning application will be submitted for the 20 acre site by the end of September.

Mr Jones added: “The aim is that we create a place for science, with companies that can attract people to stay in the area.

“There are high quality public sector jobs in the area, but we want to create jobs like that in the private sector.”

The park will be wholly owned by Bangor University, who will work closely with companies who move into the site to develop ideas and technologies.

One of the exhibits at the Menai Science Park’s Anglesey Show booth was a 3D printer – a technology that Mr Jones said would be the type of thing developed and built into a business plan at the park.

“We have a close relationship with Bangor University on the project.

“A lot of the companies we expect to move into the park will rely on research from the university.

“Research will also be done at the park, as well as testing of ideas and prototypes, and the development of business plans.

“It’s going to take about 15 years to fully develop but we expect it to be open in 2016 or 2017.

“It’s a very exciting prospect for the island.”

An open event will be held in Gaerwen next to month to inform residents about the project and what it means for the village.