AN industrial estate of 20 factories is set to replace a mill and mill lodge in Haslingden.

Plan to demolish the mill occupied by Automet Filtration on Charles Lane and build the estate of modern small to medium-sized units is set for approval by Rossendale's planning sub-committee.

The units would be built from artificial stone with metal roofs. A one-way road system would operate round the estate and nearby woodland to the east of the site would be retained and improved.

Three houses currently adjoin the site and there are no controls over loading and unloading on the narrow Charles Lane.

The new plans would ban loading and unloading from the lane and would restrict servicing hours to between 7am and 7pm.

Noise levels would also be restricted and monitored and car parking improved.

Local residents have not objected to the scheme but have asked for reasonable restrictions on the times and scale of operation.

The site is to be investigated for possible contamination before work starts to ensure it can be developed without risk of water pollution.

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