Senior councillors have expressed ‘disappointment’ that industrial units originally earmarked for high-tech businesses and jobs are to be converted into warehouses.

Former Burnley Liberal Democrat MP Coun. Gordon Birtwistle and the borough’s Labour opposition group leader Coun. Mark Townsend spoke out as the change of use for five units on the town’s Advance Point business park off Rossendale Road were approved.

The alteration was agreed at Burnley Council’s development control committee on Thursday night.

A planning officer’s report told the meeting: “Planning permission was initially granted in 2023 and subsequently amended in 2025 to establish the industrial park known as Advance Point.

industrial units originally earmarked for high-tech businesses and jobs at Advance Point are to be converted into warehouses.

placeholder image — industrial units originally earmarked for high-tech businesses and jobs at Advance Point are to be converted into warehouses.

“This comprehensive development comprises circa 9,640 square metres of business and industrial use, split across three blocks comprising 20 individual units with 117 car parking spaces, The application is presented to committee as there is a minor conflict with employment policies in the local plan. As this falls outside the scope of the approved planning permission, this application seeks approval to include storage and distribution uses.

“The applicant asserts that, since marketing the units, there has been significant interest from businesses seeking to operate storage and distribution functions at Advance Point. The introduction of such uses would enhance the site's flexibility and better respond to current market demand. The proposed change of use relates to the central block of four units within the wider Advance Point development, which is a key component of the approved development. The application before the committee seeks to introduce B8 uses into the Advance Point development.

“B8 uses refers to warehouses, distribution centres, and storage facilities primarily focused on the storage and logistical distribution of goods. B8 does not typically involve manufacturing or processing activities and generally supports larger-scale storage operations. B8 uses tend to provide fewer direct on-site employment opportunities compared to the diverse industrial and office activities associated with B1 and B2 classifications.”

Coun. Birtwistle, in whose Coalclough with Deerplay ward Advance Point is situated, said: “This is very disappointing. I was looking forward to some high-tech, highly skilled and well-paid jobs. Now we are getting four big warehouses.

“This was not the original intention. This is a major disappointment to me.”

Coun. Townsend said: “It’s extremely disappointing but we have no option other than approving it. It’s extremely sad to see. What does this say about Burnley?”