A BID to boost the economic fortunes of Radcliffe is to be spearheaded by the development of the former East Lancashire Paper Mill.

Council leaders have singled out the site as the most important factor in the regeneration of the town.

And the council has paved the way for the land to be renovated, with housing, business and leisure uses among the options being investigated.

Bury Council's executive member for economic and social regeneration, Councillor Wayne Campbell, said: "The loss of ELPM was a real blow to the town and further weakened the once strong links that Radcliffe had with manufacturing.

"Although we can do nothing about that, we do believe that as a council we have a real part to play in the future and especially as to how this site is now developed." Mill bosses announced its closure and the loss of 200 jobs last year. Foreign competition, the strength of sterling and the escalating costs of raw materials were blamed.

Staff at the council's economic development unit believe the site offers an exciting chance to influence the future of the town and its prosperity.

Officers are keen to see a mixed development take place on the 17.4 hectares that are available. The major components could involve areas of housing, employment and leisure.

Coun Campbell said: "We want to be pro-active and with that in mind we have already had a series of discussions with the new site owners, DS Smith.

"The council believes that we can establish an attractive and vibrant riverside mixed-use area which has strong linkages to surrounding areas.

He added: "The attraction of a range of new employment opportunities will help diversify the local Radcliffe economy, and make use of the site's easy access to the town centre and Metrolink. At the same time, the introduction of a range of recreational facilities could exploit the river valley location and nearby attractions, helping to bring in significant visitor numbers."

DS Smith's group property manager, Stephen Cook, confirmed: "We are working in partnership with the local council to secure the future beneficial use of the site. The scheme will improve the environment and facilities available to the community."

Now that Bury Council has given the go-ahead to this approach, consultations with the public take place over the coming weeks, starting with the Radcliffe Area Board on Monday (Jan 21), to be held at Radcliffe Civic Suite at 7pm.

Area Board chairman Coun Barry Briggs said: "Radcliffe is a changing town and while the paper mill closure was sad, we feel that with a little imagination and plenty of enthusiasm, supported by some well thought out and discussed proposals, this site can play a very significant role in the increasingly successful regeneration that is taking place in Radcliffe.

"The closure of the mill presents us with a major challenge both in terms of stimulating new employment opportunities and the need to recycle what is an extensive brownfield site."

He added: "We want local people to be very much a part of this and we will be actively seeking their views and input."