THE first detailed plans have been submitted for a £400million village on the former Royal Ordnance factory site on the outskirts on Chorley.

At the heart of proposals for the site, which borders Whittle-le-Woods and Leyland and which have gone to South Ribble and Chorley councils, is a specially designed village centre of 95 new homes.

The Buckshaw Village project is said to be one of the largest brownfield initiatives ever carried out in the North West.

It involves a consortium of developers Redrow and Barratt and could create up 6,000 new jobs when the 395-acre, mixed-use site is fully developed. The village centre features predominantly town houses and apartments. The developers say these will set the tone for future village property design, reflecting a traditional village theme with frontages right up to the footpaths and parking confined to the rear of the buildings. A consultation process is now taking place before the applications are determined by both Chorley Council and South Ribble.

Robert Handford, managing director of Barratt Manchester said: "We're a big step closer to seeing the regeneration of Royal Ordnance Chorley and creation of a sustainable, mixed-use village." Future plans will include more homes and amenities.

A £10.5million remediation programme is already well advanced a shopping centre, new railway station, park and ride facility, primary school, sports facilities and open space.

A comprehensive £10.5million remediation programme is already advanced at the site, involving the demolition of 850 buildings and remediation of soils, being carried out by BAE Systems Environmental Services.