Boost for Lancashire enterprise zone at BAE Systems Samlesbury

Lancashire County Council has been given special powers to fast track planning applications at a new enterprise zone on a BAE Systems site.

The authority has been granted a local development order which allows projects in the zone at Samlesbury, meeting agreed criteria, to be approved quickly.

The authority hopes to gain a similar order for a BAE site at Warton.

It is hoped up to 6,000 new jobs could be created at the two sites.

The enterprise zones, which received government approval in November, are planned to attract advanced engineering and manufacturing businesses.

Edwin Booth, chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, said the zone was "an enticing offer" which would make "Lancashire stand out from the crowd".

Cliff Robson, from BAE Systems, said the development order was "a significant step forward and enables us to pursue prospects with renewed emphasis".