REGENERATION of the former Huncoat power station site is high on the Hyndburn Council agenda.

The pledge came from John Tilley, the council's former head of strategic development, the new director of the East Lancashire Partnership.

Mr Tilley said the land alongside the M65 was one of the key sites for new employment opportunities in the borough.

He added: "It is one we would wish to bring forward over forthcoming years, together with development of surrounding areas.

"Progression of that work, which will be time consuming, is a priority."

While most of the power station buildings have now been demolished, the derelict administration block is still standing.

Mr Tilley was presenting the draft annual economic development plan for the borough to Hyndburn economic development board.

Committee chairman Coun Bernard Dawson said: "A lot of the site has been demolished and flattened but there is still the administration block.

"I'm pleased we are looking in a more detailed way at what we can do and the future of the site.

"The first thing is to get it environmentally right and go on from there."

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