WORK on a multi-million pound industrial and leisure hub next to the M65 motorway creating up to 2,000 jobs will start early next year after it was given the go-ahead by councillors this week.

Hyndburn Borough Council planning committee has approved the 98,000 square metre pound business and recreation park on the border of Blackburn, next to Whitebirk’s junction six.

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Developers Praxis will now prepare the detailed specifications for work to clear the land starting early 2016 with the first buildings starting to rise later that year or in early 2017.

A hotel built alongside a restaurant or pub, and a coffee shop complete with drive-through are planned as part of the new development which is set to be located beside the Old Mother Redcap pub in Blackburn Road, Intack.

The 90 acre site, known as Frontier Park, will also house warehousing, industrial units, and offices. and is hoped to create 2,000 jobs by the early 2020’s.

The approval has been welcomed by Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson and Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Phil Riley as good news for job prospects across both boroughs.

This was despite several residents living close to the site sending letters to the council voicing concerns.

There have been hopes of developing the site since 2003 but this week’s decision means that it will finally become a reality within the next five years with an investment expected to run into tens of millions of pounds..

Cllr Parkinson said: “I am delighted this scheme is now going ahead.

“It is excellent news for jobs and development in both Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen.

“I hope to see the detailed plans brought forward and work started as soon as possible.”

Cllr Riley said: “I am very pleased to see this development going forward which will provide jobs for many people in our borough as well as Hyndburn. It will contribute to our economic regeneration plans.”

Keith Webster, planning agent for the scheme, said: “The hard work starts now. We have to get details plans into the council and hope to start clearing and levelling the land next year with the first buildings going up in late 2016, early 2017.”

The estate would be accessed from Burnley Road roundabout, and also from Blackburn Road, although access there will be restricted to use by buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The first buildings could be occupied by the end of 2017 and the entire development is expected to be completed in a timescale of between five and ten years.