A £35 million investment programme set to create 100 new jobs at Rolls-Royce’s East Lancashire site has been approved by councillors.

The aerospace giant wants to build an extension to its Bankfield base in Barnoldswick for work on a world-leading jet engine contract.

Bosses say it will create around 100 new jobs and reaffirm the company’s commitment to the area.

Members of Pendle Council’s West Craven committee approved the scheme after deciding that the benefit to Pendle’s economy outweighed the concerns of some residents.

Neighbours were worried about the detrimental impact on their quality of life in terms of outlook and noise levels.

However, in a report to the meeting, officers said that all issues raised could be dealt with by appropriate conditions.

“The proposal would not affect visual and residential amenity to an unacceptable degree,” they concluded.

Speaking after the meeting, committee chairman David Whipp said: “Councillors realised the value of creating additional jobs in the area and tried to strike the balance between this and the concerns of residents and effect on their quality of life.

“We are pleased at the prospect of new jobs and hopefully securing the future of Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick for another 70 years.”

The extension is designed to accommodate work for the F136 engine, a joint project between Rolls and US firm GE.

Fan blades for the engine, which is designed to power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, would be manufactured in the new building.

However, the US government is currently on a cost-saving drive and could axe funding for the F136 engine and instead back an alternative engine on which Rolls-Royce has far less work.

If that happens, union leaders at Barnoldswick fear that the £35 million extension and new jobs may be lost.