THE site of a future multi-million pound multi purpose industrial and leisure development expected to create up to 2,000 jobs has been sold.

Blackburn firm Euro Garages has secured the sale of the 98,000 square metre site from building developer Praxis for an undisclosed fee.

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The company has said that it will submit an amended planning application in the coming months but that the site will still be a “major development”.

Permission for the new business and recreation park on the border of Blackburn, next to Whitebirk’s junction six of the M65, was granted by Hyndburn Borough Council in July.

The sale of the plot of land was revealed after a new billboard was erected by the plot of land on Monday.

Euro Garages’ property director Robin Lawrence said: “We are set to meet with the council in the next two to three weeks about submitting an amended application.

“It is still going to be a major development that will benefit Blackburn.

“The details for the site are still in the design phase.”

The news has been welcomed by the leader of Hyndburn Council who has said that he hopes Euro Garages develops the site “to its full potential”.

Cllr Miles Parkinson said: “I’m extremely pleased that a firm based in the local area which has come from such a small beginning has taken on this site.

“Euro Garages is now one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK and will bring more investment to this project.

“I’m sure that the company will be able to develop the site to its full potential.”

A hotel built alongside a restaurant or pub, and a coffee shop complete with drive-through had been planned as part of the new development which is set to be located beside the Old Mother Redcap pub in Blackburn Road, Intack.

The 90 acre site, known as Frontier Park, also has permission for warehousing, industrial units, and offices and is hoped to create 2,000 jobs by the early 2020’s.

The new deal has however been criticised by Tony Duckworth, the president of the Blackburn with Darwen Chamber of Trade, who said that the development’s location would “not help” the regeneration of the town.

He said: “It’s the right application but in the wrong place.

“We understand that the Blackburn with Darwen Council’s policy is to entice newcomers into the town.

“Developing on the periphery will not help the regeneration of the town.”