Council secures funding for further Futures Park development

Rossendale Council has successfully bid for more than £1.5m to support further development at Futures Park.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board (LEP) agreed Growth Deal funding to deliver improvements to the site which will help support its future growth.

The money will fund improvements to the main road junction as well as flood prevention works on plot one. Further improvements will also be made which will support the building of industrial units.

The £1.525 million is part of a wider £6.6 million investment in the business park, which will see 120 new jobs created.

Work has already started on a new 50,000 sqft industrial development to enable the expansion of Orthoplastics, one of Rossendale’s leading advanced manufacturing businesses.

The Council is actively pursuing a mountain biking trail centre on plot 3. The centre will be a unique building which will provide a café, shop, changing facilities and a training room.

Councillor Jackie Oakes, portfolio holder for Economic Development, said:

“We have a really clear vision for developing the area, which will bring in new jobs, further investment and new attractions to Bacup and the wider borough.

“I am really pleased we have secured this funding. It was very competitive process and we were up against dozen of bids from across Lancashire.

“This Council has a good track record in bringing new investment to improve this wonderful borough. We will continue to work hard to bid for the funding our borough needs and deserves.”

Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of the Council and a LEP board member, said:

“I am pleased our bid was one of the successful given it was a really robust process. The officers worked hard to put a good bid together. Sustainable economic growth is a key priority of this Council so I am pleased that we have successfully brought in funding which will support that goal.”

LEP Chairman Steve Fogg said:

“The LEP is focussed on creating the conditions for economic growth in the county. This £1.525m of Growth Deal funding will deliver infrastructure and encourage development. It will create commercial floor space, new jobs and see the retention and expansion of an important employer in the district.”