RECYCLING giant SITA has bought a disused Darwen factory in a multi-million pound deal.

SITA, the UK subsidary of French energy supplier Suez Environment, has paid £3.2 million for a 22-acre site in Lower Eccleshill Road from ink manufacturer Wolstenholme International Ltd.

It not yet known what plans SITA have for the site, which has been vacant since the ink manufacturer was sold to German company Atlanta for £16.1million in August 2007.

More than150 workers at the plant lost their jobs in the buy-out.

Nicola Dowlen of SITA said: “We can confirm we have bought the site and are reviewing options for development.”

It is believed SITA want to demolish most of the nine buildings on the land, while retaining a 30,000 sq ft industrial unit and 13,000 sq ft of offices.

The land covers the Sudell and East Rural areas. Sudell councillor Roy Davies said he was worried about SITA’s intentions for the area.

He said: “I think having a new recycling unit there or whatever they do, will be controversial.

“But although there will be concerns, it’s a big positive that there’s going to be jobs created in the town and there will be investment.”

East Rural councillor Julie Slater has also said she was “concerned” about the development plans.

SITA currently collects the methane gas from three active landfill sites across the county; Clifton Marsh near Preston, Jameson Road, near Fleetwood, and Whinney Hill, near Accring-ton, and at a number of closed sites.