An international missile defence company is planning a move from its Lostock base to the new Logistics North site.

MBDA, which has been based in Lostock for the past 80 years, is negotiating the purchase of land at the former Cutacre open cast mine with developers Harworth Estates.

In an application to Bolton Council, the firm has laid out its vision for a new manufacturing facility with offices and enough space for 400 members of staff.

A spokesman for MBDA said the acquisition of the land means the business would have the option to expand in the future — but that it would not translate into new jobs in the short term.

He added: “We have submitted a planning application to transfer our existing Lostock site to a new location at Logistics North adjacent to junction four on the M61.

“The intention is that it will result in a state of the art manufacturing facility serving all our customers.”

In its bid, which will be examined by Bolton Council planning officers, the company said it plans to build a flagship facility that will be more efficient compared with the current site in Lostock Lane.

No explosive materials would be assembled at the new site.

The council gave the green light to plans to build on the old Cutacre mine in November following an extraordinary meeting of the planning committee.

The £200 million scheme involves developing four million sq ft of distribution and manufacturing space, shops, business units and a 225-hectare country park, which is anticipated to create more than 6,000 jobs.

Supermarket chain Aldi has already been given the go-ahead to build its new North West headquarters and distribution centre on the site and was the first major business to be part of the scheme.

Keith Davies, director of development and regeneration at Bolton Council, confirmed that officers had received an application from MBDA.

He added: “This is a major employer in Bolton and their desire to move onto Logistics North is a real vote of confidence as an employment site in the region.”

A spokesman for Harworth Estates welcomed the announcement that MBDA was looking to move into their new development.

He added: “MBDA’s planning application reflects the significant demand in the North West market for high quality manufacturing and distribution facilities.

“The four million sq ft of total employment space at Logistics North directly meets this need.”