MORE than 400 jobs are set to come to Lancashire as Parcelforce reveal plans to build a huge depot.

The proposals are for a ‘North West processing centre’ for the firm cons-isting of two buildings with a combined size of 29,000 sqm at Revolution Park, in Buckshaw Village, Chorley.

The jobs boost is dependent on Royal Mail Group purchasing the land, which does not presently belong to it.

Parcelforce Worldwide plans to build a distrib-ution hub in Lancashire have been described as ‘very welcome and pos-itive’ by Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle.

Plans submitted to Chorley Borough Council show the site will have room for 304 staff cars, and be able to accommodate more than 200 lorries and trailers across the two buildings.

Domestically, Parcelforce concentrates on time-guaranteed, next day and two-day express deliveries.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of parcels sent in the UK with the rise in online shopping and the purchase of goods on websites such as Ebay.

Royal Mail Group spokesman James Eadie said: “The proposal, if it were to proceed, would represent a large investment in Chorley and would create a significant number of jobs in the area.”

“In seeking to support business growth and efficiencies, Royal Mail Group makes regular planning applications to provide options for its operations.

“The planning application relates to a potential new Parcelforce Worldwide site in the North West of Eng-land.

“The land does not currently belong to Parcelforce Worldwide and, at this point, no plans are finalised. If consent is granted, any plans would take into account the local green belt and we believe they would be in keeping with the council’s aspiration for the site.”

Last year, prestige supermarket chain Waitrose also announced plans to locate their northern distribution centre in Buckshaw, creating around 300 jobs.

Mr Hoyle said: “Unemployment in Chorley and the rest of Lancashire is rising. Businesses moving here are really important for the future of the econ-omy locally and it makes Buckshaw Village sustain-able.

“This will create empl-oyment opportunities for local people, which is so important.”

The application is set to be considered by Chorley Council planning committee on April 24.