A MAJOR development could bring thousands of jobs to Lancashire, new proposals have revealed.

Once earmarked for an Ikea, a large plot of land located closed to the M6 at Cuerdale now looks set to become a hub of activity for business and retail after plans for the superstore fell though in 2018.

Plans for the new ‘Lancashire Central’ site were first revealed a year later in 2019, however further details have emerged for the development, which is expected to generate almost 2,000 jobs during its construction.

People who live in the area are now being asked for their views before proposals are officially submitted.

Once complete, it is hoped that the final product will become a space for research and development, with industrial, storage and distribution hubs built too.

A supermarket is also expected to be built, alongside shops, leisure facilities, homes and a health centre.

Residents who live close to the site will now be contacted to make them aware of the plans and to let them know how they can give feedback.

Steve Burns, head of strategic development at Lancashire County Council, said: "These are exciting proposals for this key strategic employment site in the heart of the county. It would create thousands of jobs, both during construction and upon completion, and is a significant opportunity for local skills development opportunities and social value.

"The site is regionally significant, vital to the place shaping agenda and delivers economic outcomes for Lancashire."

Karen Hirst from Maple Grove Developments said “We are very proud to be bringing forward this important site as Lancashire County Council’s developer partner, which will provide significant employment opportunities in Lancashire. This is a key project for Maple Grove and the Eric Wright Group, which we are looking forward to delivering, not least because it is one of the closest schemes to our head office here in Lancashire.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.

The proposals will divide the site into a series of smaller development plots, setting out the intended use and scale of development for each plot. Detailed development proposals for each plot will follow through a series of separate applications for ‘reserved matters’.

If planning permission is granted, and depending on the planning and development process, work could begin on the initial infrastructure works later in the year.

The development will be phased with a proportion of employment space and some commercial and residential likely to come forward first, as well as the required on and off-site highway works and provision of green infrastructure.

More information on the proposals can be found online at www.lancashirecentral.co.uk.