A FORTY-acre site on the outskirts of Darwen has been earmarked for a massive leisure development including multiplex cinema, bowling alley, restaurants, bingo hall and nightclub.

The site stretches from the rear of Darwen Football Club's Anchor Ground surrounding Oakenhurst Farm, Earcroft to the new M65 motorway slip road, which is under construction.

An application seeking outline planning permission for leisure use and restaurants on the site and associated access has been submitted to Blackburn Council for consideration by the Derby-based Openmen Ltd.

Earcroft ward councillor Simon Danczuk said: "There is no doubt that this site will have to be developed in the near future.

"I would welcome a plan which gives the people of the ward added facilities, but obviously I would be concerned to see that the development did not disrupt their lives.

"This is only an outline application and I would like to see more details before deciding whether or not to lend my full support."

The application is the third leisure development proposal in East Lancashire recent months.

Kingspark Developments announced it wants to develop a site at Whitebirk Industrial Estate creating up to 300 jobs.

A separate bid has also been made to develop an area of Moreton Street, Accrington into a cinema and bars.

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