THE first phase of a multi-million-pound business park set to bring in hundreds of high-skilled jobs to a town centre has been completed.

And the Lancashire Telegraph can reveal exclusive images from inside the Burnley's newly built Vision Park.

After almost a year of construction, the two buildings will provide 17 units which can be used for office, research and light industrial businesses.

Advanced manufacturers and digital-based companies are being sought for the five-acre site, part of which once housed the town’s former household waste centre.

Owned by Burnley Council, each unit in the first phase has state-of-the-art functions with shutter doors, fireproof letter boxes, CCTV, executive meeting suits, kitchen and shower facilities and are ideal for start up businesses.

The units range from 850 square feet to 2,605 square feet and were developed by Barnfield Construction on behalf of Trebor Developments.

Burnley Council chief executive Mick Cartledge said discussions have taken place with potential businesses to move into the site, however no deals have been completed.

He added: "The first phase has been completed and the buildings look fantastic.

"These spacious, modern units are perfect for lots of first-time and growing businesses.

"We want to bring highly skilled jobs to the town and through Vision Park we will be able to achieve this.

"These units are in a great part of town, it's in the town centre, its close to the motorway, there's so much potential.

"With the university announcing their significant expansion and the nearby college, we are really adding to the 'knowledge quarter' of Burnley."

Paul Davies, site manager from Barnfield Construction, said: "We've improved the road infrastructure around the park and we've helped reduce the chances of cars speeding by narrowing the roads near the houses.

"Neighbours have supported us with this. We've had several people come to us and asking us to look around.

"In the summer the site will be amazing, you can hear the river nearby, the flowers will be out, it will be a really attractive place to work."

Around £1.7million was funded by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to help kickstart the project last year.

The partnership is behind improvements to junctions along the M65, as part of the Burnley and Pendle Growth Corridor and is backing the efforts to revamp Brierfield Mill.

Tenants will have access to a range of programmes at the education campus' to help support and grow their businesses.

Burnley's MP, Julie Cooper, said the park was another positive venture for the town.

He said: "Vision Park is in every sense excellent news for Burnley both in terms of the high number of new job opportunities on the site and the spin off for the wider local economy.

"It sends a clear message that Burnley is an excellent place to invest and to do business.

"The links on offer with UCLan and Burnley College are particularly attractive to high-tech digital and manufacturing companies and the town is now gaining a reputation as a hub for these types of businesses as a consequence."

Work on the second and third phrases of the site will begin towards the end of next year.

Bob Tattrie, managing partner for Trebor, said: "We are delighted to see phase one ready for occupation, establishing Vision Park as the premium employment location in Burnley, offering high quality, yet flexible, accommodation that can meet a range of occupiers' requirements and we are looking forward to phases two and three coming on stream."