COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to continue to press the owners of the former Michelin site in Burnley for further investment.

The 40-acre site was bought by the North West Regional Development Agency in 2002, but the agency is being closed down next March and fresh plans must be made for assets owned by the agency.

One of the buildings at the Heasandford Michelin site was taken over by Aircelle in 2008, with a 25-year lease signed.

Coun Martin Smith, executive member for regeneration and economic development, said: “The key question for the site is its future ownership following the demise of the NWDA in March 2012.

We will continue to press the NWDA, and its successor body, regarding the future development of the site to ensure it is disposed of in a manner that has a positive benefit on Burnley.”

Bosses at the NWDA have recommended the site should be kept on by the Government, rather than sold off.

It submitted plans to Westminster on January 31 for the disposal, or transfer, of all its assets and liabilities across the country, and further afield.

A spokeswoman for the NWDA said: “The agency recommends that many directly-owned sites are retained and managed as a single portfolio in order that income can be used to off-set costs.

This includes the Michelin site.

“The agency recognises the site has local strategic significance and the need for further redevelopment of the Michelin site.

“The NWDA plan is just a recommendation to Government. The Agency has not concluded that all assets must be transferred to Government, or sold.”

The spokesman said they would be selling a range of sites, but added: “The NWDA will be discussing a wide range of options for the future ownerships of the sites as part of the process of agreeing an asset and liability plan.

These discussions will include options around local ownership.”