Hyndburn is driving growth and prosperity

Employment and housing growth are central to Hyndburn Council’s vision for the borough.

The development of a sustainable and strong local economy and improved access to job markets across the Pennine Lancashire and wider northern region is fundamental for the long term prosperity of the borough. Central to achieving this is transformational change in the economy and productivity including local employer output.

In delivering this vision the council is seeking sustainable population growth, including working households through a combination of housing and employment growth. This will be underpinned by a review of the Local Plan due to be completed in 2023 which will identify for the plan period up to 2036 at least 68.7 hectares of new employment land, and land for at least 4,320 new homes; an equivalent to an average of 216 new homes per year.

Hyndburn is perfectly located adjacent to the main “Pennine Lancashire crossroads” where the M65 meets the A56/M56 route at junction eight of the M65. This means Hyndburn fully benefits from the potential of the M65 growth corridor with access to key growth sites at junctions six to eight on the M65.

At Junction six new employment opportunities are being created at the premier Frontier Park employment zone with the final phase now under construction where approximately one million square feet of logistics and manufacturing units of various sizes are provided, a Hampton by Hilton Hotel and banqueting/conference centre and an on-site Euro Garages motorway services area including various food outlets.

At junction eight, the council will finalise a masterplan for a new garden village adjacent to the existing Huncoat village, which will provide up to 2,000 new, modern high-quality homes over the next 10-15 years in a fabulous countryside location with excellent access to the motorway and rail networks.

Accrington town centre is an important part of Hyndburn’s economy, and in response to changes in the high street the council is working on a new town centre plan with key stakeholders to include an emphasis on town centre population growth, further restoration of heritage buildings including links to Hyndburn’s industrial heritage and arts offer, further public realm improvements, and a focus on independent shopping together with improved car and public transport access.

Longer term economic growth priorities include support for improved rail and road connections from Pennine Lancashire to Yorkshire and the potential for a rail freight terminal on the site of the rail sidings that served the former Huncoat power station.

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