AN offer believed to be in the region of £4m has been submitted for a prominent Ribble Valley business park.

The Sidings Business Park in Whalley was put on the market last September by owner Andrew Ronnan.

Mr Ronnan, who has owned the site since 1993, initially asked for £5.25m but lowered the asking price to just over £3.8m.

The site next to the village’s railway station includes nine office buildings which have been built since Mr Ronnan took over alongside 18 existing units.

The park is located off Station Road and backs on to the town’s cricket field.

Coun Terry Hill, who represents Whalley on Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: “I think first of all that Andrew Ronnan who runs it and who started it has done a wonderful job.

“I know he wants to go on to other things and I hope that it continues to be as successful as it has been up to this point.

“The business park is a wonderful deal for Whalley as it employs upwards of 150 people.

“It also has a diverse range of businesses and it’s very vibrant.

“It’s all credit to Andrew that he has made it as successful as it is. The park is the jewel in Whalley’s economic crown and it’s very important for the village.”

Mr Ronnan was unavailable for comment.

A spokeswoman for AC Surveyors and Valuers, which marketed the site, confirmed that the business park is currently under offer.

Lianne Lowe, practice manager at Abbeydale Vets, which has a base on the site, said: “We would like to thank Andrew Ronnan for all that he has done with the business park. If the sale goes through, we are looking forward to working with the new owner.”