UP to 1,500 jobs could be created if plans to extend the hugely successful Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson into neighbouring green belt land gets the go ahead.

The extension through hillside fields to the Padiham bypass would create around 40 acres of extra industrial land to cater for expanding firms wanting bigger premises and new companies moving to the borough.

The controversial move would have to be agreed by the Government following a public inquiry. As part of the process, which is likely to take between 18 and 24 months, traffic and environmental surveys will be carried out to assess the impact of the extension.

Councillors have launched a six-week public consultation to give people a chance to have their say.

"Demand for space is from businesses requiring sites in Pendle on which to expand," said Pendle Council's development director Janet Bradbury.

"If their needs cannot be met it is likely they will be forced to move out of Pendle with the consequent loss of jobs."

Tory group leader Councillor Roy Clarkson said: "The council wants, quite rightly, to take a lead in the community in terms of jobs creation and finding the right site to assist local businesses to create a substantial number of jobs for local people. "The well-being of local people very much depends on the availability of jobs."

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Alan Davies added: "Lomeshaye has been immensely successful and we need to think very carefully how we can continue to meet the needs of the local business community."

Plans to extend the nearby Barrowford Business Park, which has still to see any building work started, and to use Swinden playing fields, Nelson, for industry,were dropped late last year, adding to the pressure on councillors to find extra space for firms.

As a result the council has still to earmark 10 hectares of land for industrial use up to 2006. The Lomeshaye extension would amount to around 17 hectares.

Council leader Coun Azhar Ali said: "There is a tradition in this area of people working close to home. Travelling to work at any distance is more difficult and expensive for many people as well as having an impact on the environment through car pollution.

"We need to help companies remain and prosper in the borough rather than them move out and take people's jobs with them.