BOOMING firms in Pendle who want to create more than 1,000 new jobs are being held back by a shortage of industrial land, it was revealed today.

Companies are crying out for space to expand and could leave the area unless Pendle Council can satisfy their needs.

Earmarking land at Swinden Clough, Nelson, and an extension to the proposed Earby Business Park would go some way towards meeting industry's demands, a special meeting of Pendle Council's policy committee will be told on Tuesday.

But Swinden playing fields, Nelson and fields next to Barrowford Business Park should be kept as they are and not turned over to industry, according to senior planning manager Andy Wiggett.

His report to the committee outlines eight examples of firms wanting to expand within the area, including:

Macaw Soft Drinks, of Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson, needs up to ten acres and has already moved some business to Burnley because of lack of space. The firm has submitted plans to build a new factory off green belt land next to the estate to create up to 100 jobs.

Earby Light Engineering, Colne, wants six acres to build a factory (250 jobs).

Nelson Packaging, Nelson, is expanding rapidly and needs six acres (275 jobs).

Weston Electrical Units, Foulridge, needs 66,000 sq ft factory next year and a further 90,000 sq ft in 2002 (200 jobs).

Richard Bannister, boss of Boundary Mill, Colne, thought he would have to move his head offices, administration and training facilities out of Pendle. The company has submitted plans to build on the former golf driving range, Regent Street, Nelson, instead.

Mr Wiggett said: "Dealing with industrial enquiries in this ad hoc manner could present the borough in a bad light to potential investors and local businesses needing to expand.

"The concern is that the borough could miss out on investment and job creation and might lose local companies and jobs to other areas because they cannot expand in Pendle."

Six potential sites across the borough totalling 32 hectares were earmarked for future development and local residents consulted over the summer. The consultation ended on September 6 and revealed people were firmly against plans to build on Swinden playing fields and expand Barrowford Business Park. Rather than pressing ahead in the face of public hostility the proposals should be dropped, said Mr Wiggett. Problems with access meant land at Long Ing, Barnoldswick, was also unsuitable for development.

But his report says expanding Whitewalls Industrial Estate onto Swinden Clough and Earby Business Park, which has still to get off the ground, would make sense. Barnoldswick-based beds giant Silentnight should be asked to renew its planning permission to develop a 2.6 hectare site at Barnsey Shed, Barnoldswick, added Mr Wiggett.

The committee is recommended to agree his proposals.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.