PLANS to speed up the development of council owned sites have been revealed.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will launch a new contractor and development framework aimed at improving development in the borough.

The new framework will see private sector organisations work with the council to to speed up the rate at which council owned sites can be developed and make it easier to procure infrastructure.

The programme already has 180 sites earmarked for development which will allow the creation of new employment, housing and town centre opportunities.

Two of the new projects that will benefit are the construction of the new Reel independent cinema on the site of the former Waves leisure centre and the new multi-use public space in Darwen Town Centre set to replace the three-day market building.

The Framework which will operate for a minimum of four years with a possible four year extension and will be open for any public sector body within Lancashire to use, overseen by business support service Growth Lancashire.

Steve Cochrane, Growth Lancashire Director, said: Growth Lancashire is pleased to be supporting the wider roll-out of this Framework across Lancashire.

"And will help administer the Framework for any public sector partners wishing to use this flexible procurement route."