Major plans to develop a multi-million pound business and recreation park creating 2,000 jobs have been given the go-ahead.

Councillors in Hyndburn have backed the development next to Junction 6 of the M65 motorway for approval, despite objections from Blackburn with Darwen Council, county highways bosses and letters from nearly 20 local residents.

The Observer reported earlier this year that proposals were drawn up to transform the 85-acre agricultural site into a new mixed-use employment zone, including a pub or restaurant, hotel, hot food takeaway, petrol station and industrial units.

Commercial property developers Praxis said they are hoping to create ‘the largest future employment site in Lancashire’.

Approval was granted at a planning committee meeting earlier this week and work could now start as soon as October this year with the first buildings being occupied by 2017 and the whole site completed by 2021.

Up to 2,000 jobs are expected to be created, including more than 400 office-based roles and an extra 200 temporary construction jobs.

Simon Pease, of agents Ancer Spa Ltd, said the land had lain “fallow” for a number of years since previous plans ‘stalled’ in 2003.

He told the planning meeting: “There is considerable demand for the warehouse uses proposed and other competing sites are filling up.”

Councillor Bernard Dawson said the area has been a ‘key site for East Lancashire for a number of years’. He told the meeting: “The location is ideal and we have the responsibility as an authority to try and create jobs. The potential is magnificent.”

Simon Prideaux, chief planning officer at Hyndburn council, said the Whitebirk site is one of the borough’s ‘most strategic employment sites’. He told the meeting: “If these sites are to benefit Hyndburn then we need them developed.

“It maybe not in line with what we wanted before but times have changed.”

Mr Prideaux said the scheme would also benefit from the upcoming Pennine Reach bus works.

The planning meeting heard that more than 700 local householders and businesses were consulted and fewer than 20 objections were received. They claimed the development could devalue their homes, cause extra traffic and pollution and the scheme should be developed in Accrington town centre or other brownfield sites.