A BID for Euro funding for the development of the former power station site at Padiham is being considered by Burnley Council.

Since the closure of the power station, National Power has been marketing the 73-acre site for industrial or commercial development, but without success.

Lack of infrastructure and unresolved contamination issues are blamed for the lack of progress.

Members of Burnley Council's economic and property sub-committee will be told at their meeting tonight of the opportunity to bid for European Regional Development Fund resources for the development of the site. It is anticipated that throughout the Greater Manchester and Lancashire and Cheshire areas only a dozen 'brownfield' sites with the potential for providing a minimum of 250 jobs each will be designated for what is known as Priority 5 funding, with only one or two in Lancashire.

Council officers will report that Shuttleworth Mead, the name of the power station site, is the only realistic option for a Priority 5 bid in the borough.

A successful bid, including the removal of contamination and landscaping of the site, is seen as opening up considerable opportunities for jobs and training opportunities.

Officers are recommending the approval of Shuttleworth Mead as the selected site for a Priority 5 application and the preparation of a bid with National Power, English Partnerships and other relevant bodies.

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