A DEAL worth £1.7million which should kick-start the building of Burnley’s latest multi-million enterprise park has been rubber stamped by development bosses in Lancashire.

Infrastructure works for the Vision Park, beside the college and university campus off Princess Way, will be funded by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.

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Under their growth deal allocation, the LEP has awarded the funds which should see the first phase of the initiative, formerly known as Burnley Knowledge Park, take shape by this autumn.

Borough council bosses have already met behind closed doors to tentatively agree the development proposals, subject to confirmation of partnership backing at County Hall.

Provisions have been made in the town hall’s budget to meet the remaining costs of the £5 million scheme, under plans approved by the council’s executive last month.

Advanced manufacturers and digital-based companies are being sought for the five-acre site, part of which once housed the town’s former household waste centre.

Leeds-based developers Trebor have been signed up to promote the park, alongside local estate agents Trevor Dawson.

Regeneration head Kate Ingram said in a reserved report: “The project will contribute to the council’s objectives on prosperity, creating a new facility that will foster new and growing businesses in key priority sectors.”

The first phase will see an initial block built fronting Princess Way, with the second and third instalments set deeper into the partially grassed-over land.

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “This £1.7 million should enable us to finally get spades in the ground for the Vision Park, which we have been looking to do for a few years now.”

The partnership is behind improvements to junctions along the M65, as part of the Burnley and Pendle Growth Corridor and is backing the efforts to revamp Brierfield Mill.

Burnley Bridge Business Park at Hapton and the aerospace suppliers venture, on the former Michelin site at Heasandford, have already attracted high-end outfits and there are hopes that Lomeshaye industrial estate near Nelson could also soon be expanding.