A DECISION has been made which could lead to the sale of a portion of land within Burnley’s Knowledge Quarter for the possible expansion of a scrap metal business.

Coun Howard Baker, the borough council’s executive member for resources and performance management, has rubberstamped the move for 677 square metres of land off Canning Street.

Council officials have confirmed that the decision would give Metro Metals Burnley Ltd, which owns the adjacent scrap yard, the option to buy the land opposite the Burnley College Campus on Princess Way.

Coun Baker, making the decision, said: “It is not proposed to advertise the council-owned land for sale on the open market because the site has no general development potential except in connection with a wider redevelopment scheme incorporating adjacent land.

“It is there proposed to deal directly with the adjoining landowner as a special purchaser, as this is the most economically advantageous method of disposal.”