The Foundation's proposal to build a green business park on land at Coach Road Meadow, Oswaldtwistle has moved a step nearer. Having completed a feasibility study and bought the 11 acre site, we should be in a position to submit a planning application to Hyndburn Borough Council by the end of the year.

The development will be an opportunity for small and medium sized businesses to locate on a site that offers as many practical features as possible to reduce environmental impact. All construction works will use low energy or recycled materials and buildings will be of the highest standard of energy performance. The aim is for the site to be self sufficient in energy usage through on-site-renewables; wind power for electricity and a woodfuel district heating plant. There will be rain water harvesting and on-site waste water treatment. A large amount of landscaped open space and natural habitat will be a feature of the layout, with public access encouraged.

The development will be run as a not-for-private-profit social enterprise, the income from tenancies being used to support the core costs of the Foundation's work.

Discussions with two medium sized prospective anchor tenants are ongoing and there will also be some workshop units for smaller tenant businesses. Through a private sector partner the budget required for the making of the planning application will hopefully be secured.

PROSPECTS Chairman, Phil Barwood said "We still have some hurdles to jump but we aim to commence construction works in 2008. Carbon emissions have become a critical issue and it is becoming clearer, day by day, that the key to everybody's future economic and social success is in energy conservation and renewables. This development will be a small demonstration of how businesses can continue to thrive without fossil fuels. It is also part of our strategy to build a future for the charity that is more independent financially. Through business activities we aim to become less dependent on grants.