Lancashire County Council plans to develop Preston motorway site
A plan to develop business, industrial and leisure facilities near a motorway in Lancashire as part of a £430m project has been announced.
Lancashire County Council has drawn up the proposal, which could create 2,500 jobs, for a 160 acre (65 hectare) site at the end of the M65 near Preston.
The Cuerden Strategic Site would be developed over the next 10 years.
South Ribble Council - the local authority of the proposed site - will consider the plan on 6 November.
If it is approved by the planning committee a six-week consultation will take place.
Roads would be improved, including the widening of a nearby dual carriageway, under the proposal.
The £430m project is a government-funded City Deal scheme to attract new businesses and investment in the Preston and South Ribble areas, which could create up to 20,000 jobs.
It also includes plans to ease traffic congestion and build 17,000 new homes over the next decade.
Councillor Cliff Hughes, South Ribble Council's cabinet member for strategic planning and housing, said: "It could bring huge benefits to communities, not only in South Ribble, but across central Lancashire and the wider region.
"Development will also drive improvements in our town and village centres and the provision of new amenities."
Kevin Campbell, who has lived in Lostock Hall surrounded by farmland for 38 years, said he was concerned he could end up living in the middle of the new estate.
"We don't know whether we're going to be built round by factories, roads or other properties," he said.
"I don't know if I am going to be looking on to a brick wall and a fork lift truck going all night."