LANCASHIRE'S first IKEA store is set to be built at the start of the M65.

The major development of the Cuerden strategic site could create thousands of new jobs and bring the furniture giant to Lancashire.

It is hoped the development could also attract other well-known national retailers, major employers, restaurants, offices and housing, along with cycling and walking routes and new green spaces, subject to planning permission.

Lancashire County Council and its development partners Eric Wright Group and Brookhouse Group are running a public consultation on the plans, starting with public exhibitions next week, in advance of a planning application being submitted.

The development is set to create more than 4,500 new jobs, 80,000 sq m of new industrial space and 26,000 sq m of new office and business space, including a range of individual units.

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It will enabling retail development, including a new IKEA and up to five large format units for national retailers and a mixed use development to include a 120-bedroom hotel, car showrooms, family pub and restaurants.

There will also be up to 210 new homes.

Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a development that will bring economic and employment benefits for the whole of the county. Situated at the start of the M65 and minutes from the M6 and the M61, the site could not be better placed."

Tim Farlam, real estate manager for IKEA, said: "We are committed to being a good neighbour and true partner in our local community.

"The 35,000 m2 IKEA store will provide affordable high-quality home furnishing products as well as a restaurant, crèche, children’s play area and customer car park, making a visit to the store a fun day-out for the whole family.

"Bringing a new IKEA store to Cuerden will also create 350 local jobs offering both full and part-time positions in a wide variety of roles, including customer relations, sales, interior design and food services."

Jeremy Hartley from Eric Wright Group, said: "Cuerden has long been seen as one of the best development opportunity sites in the North West, and as a local company we are delighted to be working alongside the county council, as their Regeneration Partner, to bring this site forward.

"The site requires a major investment into infrastructure in order to make it available for development. Higher value uses, such as retail, are therefore needed in the early stages to deliver that infrastructure development which, in turn, will enable us to unlock the longer term opportunities for employment and regeneration across the site. IKEA’s choice of this site for a potential new store is clearly a boost to the proposals. We are also working to bring a small number of other well-known national brands to the development. "