HAULAGE group Greenline Carriers has applied for planning permission to take over seven acres of the new Shuttleworth Mead Business Park in Padiham.

The application has been lodged with Burnley Council in the name of Greenline's parent company Nightfreight and could be the first step toward relocation of the business, now based in Lowerhouse.

The 73-acre former Padiham power station site, now owned by Colne-based company Ribble Industrial Estates, is in the early stages of a near £20 million re-development plan, having recently won £2.5 million European funding.

A move by the hauliers would be welcomed by Lowerhouse residents.

They have been plagued for years by disturbance from the movement of heavy trucks near their homes.

Any move would also be a stepping stone for developers who want to add the Greenline site to 13 acres of adjoining open land for house building. A proposal to put up to 300 homes on the land is currently being discussed with the council and residents' groups, fearful of the impact of such a major development.

Meanwhile, Shuttleworth Mead is the subject of a six-months progress review.

Burnley Council and its partners have to show private sector backing of up to £15 million for the business park, which would lead to the creation of up to 600 jobs.

Ribble Industrial Estates has submitted a grant application to Government agency, English Partnerships, for extra funding for reclamation and redevelopment work on the land.

Councillors were told a new temporary post of Shuttleworth Mead Project Manager could soon be created to oversee development of the site.

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