PAPER-MAKING could be set for a major revival with one mill wanting to buy its shutdown neighbour.

Sappi Specialties is proposing to redevelop the former Sun Paper mill site at Feniscowles, Blackburn.

The paper giant, which employs more than 300 people, wants to expand its business by building a 62,000sq ft paper-converting plant.

In April, 1995, Sappi received outline planning permission from Blackburn with Darwen Council to redevelop the former Sun site.

The company did not follow up the bid with a full planning application within the time limit, so has now had to resubmit a plan for outline permission to the council.

Sun, which used to make cardboard box material from recycled paper, was shut down by the Scandinavian SCA group in 1992 with the loss of 160 jobs.

Sappi, a South African-owned company, bought the former Star paper mill in 1990 and has managed to weather the major recession in the worldwide paper-making industry.

Last year, £35 million was invested in totally rebuilding a paper machine which now produces about 80,000 tons of high grade coated paper at the Feniscowles mill.

The paper is used for glossy magazines and other publications and packaging uses.

It was unveiled by Gillian Van As, wife of the Sappi chairman Eugene Van As, who flew in to Blackburn from her South African home.

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