A PUBLIC exhibition is to be held into major development plans for the Cuerden area which include a new IKEA store.

The scheme, just off the M6 and M65, is expected to deliver more than 4,600 jobs and significant economic benefits for Lancashire.

Alongside a new IKEA store, the 65 hectare development could also attract other well-known national retailers, major employers, restaurants, offices and housing, along with cycling and walking routes and new green spaces.

Following extensive community consultation a number of amendments have been made to the planning application for the scheme.

Lancashire County Council and partners Maple Grove Developments, which is part of the Eric Wright Group, and in association with Brookhouse Group, will be consulting on the scheme amendments at a public exhibition next week.

Changes have been made to the schemes design and access arrangements, with the main access expected to be from a new exit off Junction 1a at the start of the M65.

Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, Lancashire County Council leader, said: “We have listened to the feedback from the community during the consultation in November, and through ongoing positive discussions with South Ribble Council officers and other stakeholders, amendments have been made to the proposals, including to certain design, highways and transport elements of the development.

“The planning public exhibition is part of our continued engagement with the local community and we welcome thoughts and feedback on the amendments proposed.”

It is estimated the scheme will provide:

• More than 4,600 new Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs at the site in addition to2,900 (FTE) jobs created during construction.

• 80,000 sq m of new industrial space, comprising of a range of separate units with ancillary offices.

• A further circa 26,000 sq m of new office and business space, including a range of individual units.

• Retail development, including a new IKEA and up to five large format units for national retailers.

• Mixed use development to include a 120-bedroom hotel with leisure/gym facilities, car showrooms, family pub and restaurants.

• Up to 210 new homes.

• Green infrastructure and landscaping for people walking, living on and visiting the site.

• Significant highways improvements on the local road network, along with new public transport provision.

• New pedestrian, cycling and jogging paths throughout the site, linking to other places such as Cuerden Valley Park.

Jeremy Hartley, from Eric Wright Group, said: "The potential benefits of the Cuerden site are substantial and we continue to work with all parties to deliver a development that will make a significant contribution to the local economy.

“The Cuerden development is an attractive location for all types of businesses to invest in the area, which in turn could deliver thousands of new jobs to local communities.”

Members of the public can provide feedback via the consultation website www.thisiscuerden.co.uk

or on the Facebook page ‘This is Cuerden’.

The public exhibition will be held in the Garden Room at St Catherine’s Hospice, Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, on Monday August 21 between 3pm and 7pm.

Members of the development team will be on hand to answer any queries.