THE social and recreation club at the East Lancs Paper Mill is to remain on the site, after developers quelled fears of its possible closure.

P & F Properties, which now owns the site, has stated the club will remain open when the land is redeveloped.

Talks are also ongoing into securing the future of the angling club based there and the nearby cricket club.

Plans for a new state-of-the-art school, the soon-to-be merged Coney Green Technology College and Radcliffe High School, to be built on the site of the former mill, are already well advanced, after protracted discussions with Bury Council.

The disused mill area, part of the Redeveloping Radcliffe scheme, has been unused and vacant for three years now.

Community relations company, Green Issues Communications, is liaising with groups such as the cricket club, angling club and social and recreation club.

Proposals for the future of the cricket club will mean it will remain on or adjacent to the site, throughout the redevelopment of the area. There will be a number of proposed improvements to the facilities, including indoor and outdoor practice nets and a new pavilion.

Discussions regarding the angling club are ongoing and Green Issues Communications is in discussion with the anglers to find the best way to accommodate them. Graeme Coombes, from Green Issues Communications, said: "In recent months, rumours of the site have led to a great deal of concern from the Radcliffe community. These proposals will remove that uncertainty and secure the future of a number of community groups."