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Plans submitted for major Lancashire business park

Commercial property developers Praxis have submitted plans for a one million square foot mixed employment site at Whitebirk in Lancashire.

Proposals submitted to Hyndburn Borough Council say the scheme would provide a major economic boost to the Pennine Lancashire economy and create up to 2,000 jobs.

Subject to planning permission, the new development, to be known as Frontier Park, would occupy an 85 acre site adjacent to Junction 6 of the M65, which is largely agricultural land. If the scheme goes ahead, this would be transformed into a manufacturing and/or logistics hub.

Frontier Park is seen as a key component in Lancashire’s Strategic Economic Plan to maximise the area’s potential to generate around 10,000 jobs and more than £500 million for the local economy.

Praxis says that the employment led mixed-used development comprising of buildings including industrial and warehouse development, offices, hotel and food and leisure facilities, would help to attract inward investment resulting in job growth and the development of the area’s economy.

Gabriel McLaughlin, Director and Head of Asset management at Praxis, said: “As you would expect with a scheme of this magnitude, we have engaged in thorough consultation with the local council as well as officers from Lancashire County Council and the neighbouring borough of Blackburn and Darwen.

“We are confident that this proposed scheme will bring real and long-lasting benefits to local residents, generating new employment opportunities and boosting the wider economy”.

If planning permission is granted, work could start in December this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .