LAND worth £400,000 has been gifted to a homelessness and recycling charity by Hyndburn Council.

Councillors said the decision to give away a town centre site to Preston-based Recycling Lives could have a huge effect on recycling rates, while helping deprived people.

A planning application has already been submitted for the 2.2 acre site at Charter Street.

The facility, which aims to also aid unemployment, would be a three-storey building made up of 20 flats and 15 business units alongside a training centre and commercial recycling plant.

Hyndburn Council has also pledged to become a main partner in the venture along with Great Places Housing Group, Community Gateway housing and Accrington and Rossendale College.

Deputy council leader Peter Clarke, who oversees regeneration issues said: “We were very impressed with Recycling Lives when we visited their Preston base.

"Anyone on drugs or involved with crime gets kicked off the programme.

“With the facility in town, we will be able to recycle right here instead of sending things off to Liverpool. It will have an incredible effect on our recycling overall.”

The site has been council owned since 1980 when it was acquired from the former British Railways Board.

The Recycling Lives project for Accrington has secured around £1.5 million from the Homes and Community Agency but the majority of the balance will be funded by Recycling Lives Limited.

If planning permission is granted, building work would start on the site before the end of December.