PLANS to extend an industrial estate in Brierfield have been submitted.

An application has been submitted to Pendle Council by Liberata for an extension to the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate to accommodate up to 10 industrial units with open space, access roads, landscaping and infrastructure, with access off Churchill Way.

In the Design and Access Statement, the applicants say the scheme will ‘provide opportunities for business expansion or relocation in the borough’ and ‘assist in regenerating and supporting the economic growth of Nelson or Brierfield and the borough as a whole’.

It comes after Pendle Borough Council Executive Cabinet approved a compulsory purchase order for the site.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal believes it is great news for the area.

He said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“People will remember the creation of the Lomeshaye estate and this is a great chance to create a legacy for future generations and create jobs for local people.

“It is important with all the government cuts that we move forward on this site.”

However, some residents are concerned that the scheme was submitted on December 14 and that the festive period would affect people’s ability to look at the plans and give their views.

Jackie Heaps, from Fence, said: “We know that everyone is off for Christmas and New Year and I am just worried the application has been sneaked in when not a lot of people will have the time to have a look at it and then respond.

“The deadline for comments is on January 4 and they will have been busy.

“I think there are other places for this kind of thing such as the old Lambert’s woodyard which has been left derelict.

“This is greenbelt land and the government has said brownfield sites should be looked at first, and there is the woodyard and former Smith and Nephew site which is half-a-mile a way as the crow flies.

“Land such as this should be left as this is the first sight of Pendle when you come from Nelson and Burnley and has a lot of history which should be kept like that.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Iqbal believes people will still be able to comment on the plans.

He said: “This is a chance to move forward and people can still comment after that deadline until the full application have been submitted.

The applicants also say the ‘proposed development will provide a high-quality employment location’.

However, Old Laund Booth Parish councillor Mrs Heaps is worried whether such a development is needed.

“They are looking to put a lot of units there but they do not look as if they will have a lot of people working there.”