The new Widow Hill Road site will be used exclusively for vehicle storage and maintenance works, rather than ‘waste-related activities’.

According to the council, the depot plans have been made following ‘new national waste regulations and rising costs’, requiring the local authority to ‘keep operations efficient and local’.

The council’s current depot, which is located only 400 metres from the new site, is to be turned into a waste transfer station.

Whilst the Widow Hill Road site is situated near a handful of residential properties, the council has confirmed that ‘most activity will take place weekdays between 7am and mid-afternoon’.

Cllr Howard Baker, Executive Member for Community and Environmental Services, said: ‘This move is about creating a waste transfer station by relocating our existing depot to a more suitable space.

‘We’re committed to doing this in a way that respects the surrounding area and keeps disruption to residents at a minimum. We will keep residents informed at every stage.’

Burnley BC has said it will proceed to work alongside Lancashire County Council to 'ensure seamless transition', and when the planning application is submitted next month, residents will be invited to comment on the scheme.

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