A NEW community is set to spring up in Chorley following an announcement over the £400 million redevelopment of one of the largest brownfield sites in the North West.

The 395-acre Buckshaw Village will not only create hundreds of new homes when it is completed, but also bring a massive jobs boost to the town.

An estimated 10,000 jobs and 2,000 houses are anticipated to be created over the next 10 years and construction could start in nine months.

Construction company Redrow announced the major venture for the site -- part of Royal Ordnance at Euxton -- which was secured from BAE Systems. Planning permission has been granted for 120 acres of residential development and 115 acres of commercial and industrial development, including offices, warehousing and distribution, as well as a range of community and sporting facilities.

Paul Pedley, chief executive of Redrow plc, said: "We are extremely pleased to be working on such an exciting and unique development.

"At Buckshaw Village we will be creating a totally sustainable community where people can both live and work as well as benefit from not only superb surroundings but excellent communication links."

Redrow worked with Chorley Borough and Lancashire county councils in securing the site -- being developed jointly with Barratts -- and a new primary school is planned for the area, together with significant investment in public transport, including a new railway station and road improvements.

Outline planning consent covering the derelict and redundant parts of RO was formally granted by both Chorley and South Ribble councils in August last year.

RO will continue to operate on the adjacent 250 care site.

Jack Wilson, leader of Chorley Borough Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted. We have been working closely with Royal Ordnance for the past 10 years since the site was run down for employment.

"Over the next 20 years it could probably produce as many as 10,000 jobs and there will be probably about 2,000 houses as well.

"It's Chorley's own little urban village complete with a railway station -- and historic Buckshaw Hall, which is on the site, I understand will also be brought up to scratch which is a real bonus."