MAJOR plans to expand Boundary Mill in Colne have been unveiled - potentially creating up to 300 jobs for East Lancashire.

Land opposite the mill complex, at the end of the M65, has been earmarked for a new garden centre and farm shop by the company, headed by Richard Bannister.

But a note of caution has already been sounded at the potential impact of the development, pencilled in for a site off Greenfield Road and Whitewalls Drive.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson believes that the construction and operation of Boundary Mill could be significant for Colne and surrounding areas.

He said: “This should prove to be a huge boost for the local economy and could bring somewhere in the region of 300 jobs.”

Proposals submitted to Pendle Council show that a new roundabout would be created on Whitewalls Drive, to cope with the traffic demands of the new store.

However the popularity of the current shopping centre has often generated motorway tailbacks - as do the logjams created along North Valley Road by rush-hour traffic en-route to Yorkshire.

Coun Graham Roach, who represents Waterside ward, said: “This would be a welcome development for Colne but I would need to look at the overall impact for the area.

“I will be talking to people who live around this land about what kind of effect it might have, especially in terms of traffic congestion at the end of the motorway.”

Under the scheme, drawn up by Manchester-based Nexus Planning, the garden centre would face away from the M65, with a 452-space car park positioned in front.

Director Peter Tooher said: “It is intended that the development will enhance the flagship retail role of the existing Boundary Mill Stores, providing in the order of 300 new, full and part time jobs on an important gateway site.”

The developers said the new centre will have no impact on the neighbouring Greenfield Nature Reserve and only a few low-value trees will be lost.