WYRE Borough Council will examine ambitious plans submitted by a developer to transform an unused 350 acre industrial site into a £800 million hub of activity.

NPL Estates' proposal for the former ICI industrial site at Hillhouse, Thornton Cleveleys, could also see the creation of 400 jobs.

Plans include a neighbourhood centre with a school, medical centre, shops, offices and houses. This would be on land to the east of Fleetwood Road North and the north of Bourne Road, Thornton.

There is also a proposal for a multi-use office and warehouse called the Heritage Business Park, as well as a public transport facilities with pedestrian and cycle routes linked to neighbouring areas.

The plans are the culmination of three years' consultation with the community, elected member and officials of the local authority.

Eric Taylor, NPL's Managing Director, said: "Since our inital consultation with the borough council for the redevelopment of this extensive brownfield site, we have continued to develop and amend our plans to take account of the thoughts, needs and wishes of the local community.

"We've been committed from the outset to consult local people fully and give them information about our intentions at every stage of the way.

"Both the neighbourhood centre and the industrial park are vital parts of our overall strategy for developing the site and would provide a massive jobs boost for the area.

"We'll be developing our plans in the months ahead for other parts of the site.

"There are many local businesses operating out dated and outmooded premises that are keen to remain in this area and want to expand, but have found difficulty finding alternative, larger accomodation.

"The ability not only to provide employment opportunities, but to include them as part of an integrated development, is the way forward.

"We have ensured that there is a wide range of premises within our plans to meet the anticipated demand for space from companies of all sizes."