MISSILE defence company MBDA will find out on Thursday whether its bid to move to the new Logistics North site has been successful.

Councillors will decide at the next meeting of the planning committee whether the firm, which has been based in Lostock for the past 80 years, can set up a new multi million pound base in the former Cutacre open cast mine.

The new building, set across 8.3 acres, would employ 300 permanent staff plus a further 100 temporary employees, with the potential for future growth.

Planning officers at Bolton Council have recommended that councillors give the plans the go ahead, arguing that the development fits with the vision for the wider site.

In his report Alex Allen said: “The proposal seeks to develop Plot B1 and is entirely consistent with both the forthcoming outline planning permission and masterplan for the wider site in terms of the principle of industrial development, the design, siting and massing of the proposal and the environmental and transport aspects.”

However the council has received a number of letters of objection, calling for greater clarification of what is proposed and regarding the potential noise, emissions and odours coming from the building.

A spokesman for MBDA reiterated the move would mean the company would build a ‘state of the art’ manufacturing facility at Logistics North.

Aldi supermarkets have already received permission to build its new north west headquarters in the £200m complex, owned by Harworth Estates, which was given the go-ahead in November after months of wrangling.

The new Logsitics North — based at the old Cutacre coal mining site — has permission to develop four million sq ft distribution and manufacturing space, shops, business units and 100-bed hotel.

Harworth also have outline permission to build a 225-hectare country park in the area located off Junction 4 of the M61.