A NELSON company's plan to build the world's premier pharmaceutical packaging plant at a cost of £4million has taken a significant move forward after it received planning consent.

Pendle Borough Council has finally given the go-ahead for Decorpart to proceed with the project which could ultimately lead to the creation of 50 new jobs.

The council had originally rejected the application following objections from local residents.

Decorpart chief executive Nigel Clark said: "We are very pleased with the outcome. The initial rejection had put our very future in Pendle on the line. At best, we would certainly have had to look long and hard at possible re-location and at worst we could have been looking at job losses.

"We need the new plant in order to grow our capability and so satisfy the demands of our customers. The new plant will be the world's only pharmaceutically-validated component anodising facility.

"Additionally, it will also free the existing facilities for the benefit of our perfumery and cosmetics division." Mr Clarke said the company had helped form the local residents' association and had spent £126,000 on improvements such as repainting chimneys, moving storage tanks, and reducing noise levels.

"A lot of the initial fears of the residents concerned suggestions that the plant could have a damaging affect on the health of people living close by.," he said. "That speculation was simply untrue."

"As one of Nelson's biggest employers, we are striving to protect our future and protect some 250 jobs during what is proving to be a difficult time in the global marketplace.