PRIME Minister David Cameron has heralded investment in three key projects in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale as part of a £17.2 million investment package to boost employment prospects across Lancashire.

Plans to develop Vision Park, the anticipated advanced technology and manufacturing centre next to Burnley’s university and college campus, is set to benefit from the Lancashire Growth Deal cash injection.

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And a major overhaul for Rawtenstall town centre and Brierfield Mill have been earmarked for funding after Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership secured an expansion for its work between 2016-2021.

Mr Cameron called the deal a “recovery for all” and place decisions on regeneration in the hands of local people.

He added: “Because the money will be in the control of a partnership of local community, business and civic leaders it means it will go on the things that really matter to people and businesses here.”

And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “A quiet revolution is under way in Lancashire and across the country, as growth deals signal the death of the culture where Whitehall calls the shots.”

Employment Minister Esther McVey is expected to give a breakdown of how the money will be divided between seven different causes, when she gives a keynote speech at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston today (Thurs).

A “fab lab”, featuring a 3D printer, is scheduled to be unveiled for Blackburn, an engineering and innovation centre at UCLan and improvements to junction 28 on the M6 for a business growth centre.

Proposals to construct a new bus station and shops on the former Valley Centre site in Rawtenstall and a £34 million hotel, leisure, apartments and care home project for Brierfield Mill have been reported by the Lancashire Telegraph.

Edwin Booth, chairman of the Lancashire Economic Partnership, said: “We are building a hugely significant economic programme, which will deliver new investment, employment and housing growth opportunities in Lancashire.

“Today’s expansion to our growth deal announcement represents a further vote of confidence in the work of the LEP and its local partners.”

County Cllr Jennifer Mein, Lancashire County Council added: “The LEP’s approach to supporting schemes that will create jobs and investment in the Lancashire economy underlines the value of local partners working together in pursuit of common objectives.”