EAST Lancashire is to benefit from a multi-million pound boost for projects including an advanced manufacturing research centre in Samlesbury and the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson.

Prime minister Theresa May yesterday announced a £69.8million investment for Lancashire as part of the government’s Growth Deal programme.

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Bosses at the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), who submitted the bid, said the investment will deliver more jobs, homes and growth and will help ‘maximise the county’s pivotal role within the Northern Powerhouse’.

Projects which will benefit include the research centre at Samlesbury, which is expected to receive around £15m, the North West Burnley Growth Corridor which could get more than £8m including for flood defences in Padiham, and the Pennine Gateway in Blackburn with Darwen which could receive a boost of £10m to improve junctions four, five and six of the M65.

Cllr Phil Riley, regeneration boss at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the cash will enable them to finish off the Furthergate development and will open up the Blackamoor housing development.

He said: “It is great for Blackburn and great for Lancashire.

“In terms of Lancashire it is one of the biggest grants in the country and for Blackburn it allows us to do some important road and infrastructure work.”

As reported last year the research centre could create more than 1,000 jobs with a focus on machining, automated assembly and additive manufacturing.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said it was ‘tremendous news’.

He said: “The Northern Powerhouse can be the engine for the growth that Theresa May wants to see and post-Brexit we must take every opportunity for Lancashire to be at the forefront of it.”

This latest award of funding is on top of £251m already awarded to the LEP which it said could see up to 11,000 jobs created, 3,900 homes built and £1.2billion attracted in extra investment over the next five years.

The Lomeshaye Industrial Estate extension is expected to receive £4m.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I’m delighted the government has once again made a significant investment into Pendle.

“Following the multi-million pound funding package for Brierfield Mill and more recently money for brownfield housing development, I’m delighted to have secured this further investment.

“With up to £4m being invested we will see a huge employment boost for our area and I’m already in discussions with companies looking to invest.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said he was also delighted.

“My number one priority is to get that industrial estate open for business as quickly as possible,” he said.

“We still need more money to get it up and running so will continue to lobby for more funding.”

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said the cash given for the growth corridor is ‘vital for the redevelopment and productivity of Padiham going forward’.

Edwin Booth, chairman of the LEP, said: “We have demonstrated to government our ambition, appetite and capacity to become a key economic force within the Northern Powerhouse.” driving sustainable and transformational growth throughout Lancashire which is aligned to both the LEP’s long term strategic priorities and the government’s vision of a resurgent, productive and prosperous North.”

Graham Cowley, chair of the LEP’s growth deal management board, said: “Initiatives like the AMRC at the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone reaffirm Lancashire’s position as the UK’s leading region for aerospace and advanced manufacturing activity, meaning we can continue to compete on a global scale for more advanced engineering and manufacturing contracts.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said the funding is welcome.

“I particularly welcome funds to support the development of the Burnley growth corridor which will be significant in the development of employment opportunities in Padiham.

“We in Burnley have a clear vision for the future development of our local economy with a firm focus on supporting local industry, local businesses to create better employment opportunities and we will continue to press the Government to deliver on its promises to enable the development of a Northern Powerhouse.”