LANCASHIRE County Council’s Cabinet has approved its £1.5million contribution to the roads and other infrastructure needed to extend a business park.

The authority is a partner in the further development of the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Brierfield with Pendle Council, which is providing £1.9m.

Phase one of the proposed extension would unlock 8.7 acres of land creating more than 500 mainly manufacturing.

Cllr Michael Green, county economic development boss, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to make use of the employment potential of Lomeshaye to create new jobs.

“Pendle is home to the largest concentration of advanced manufacturing employment in the country, and Lomeshaye is located at the heart of the Burnley-Pendle section of the M65 growth corridor.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “This is great news which will give Pendle businesses a place to expand.”

He added: “By extending this strategic site along the M65 we’ll also have the capacity to attract new businesses to our area, creating hundreds of jobs. Our shared ambitions to expand Lomeshaye are moving forward.”