RAWTENSTALL may be the location for a 60-room hotel and conference centre, if Rossendale Council give plans the go-ahead.

Valley developers The Hurstwood Group has submitted an outline planning application for a six-floor hotel, including an underground car park, on the site of the Accrington and Rossendale College at the bottom of Haslingden Road.

The application also includes provision for 103 apartments.

The plans are part of Hurstwood's vision for the regeneration of the town.

Hurstwood Group chairman Stephen Ashworth said: "The proposed building would provide the perfect gateway to Rossendale.

"It will help put the town on the map and be a boost for both commerce and tourism.

"Rawtenstall is short of high quality but affordable hotel and conference facilities, indeed a hotel was something that was identified by the council's masterplanners who looked in detail at the town.

"These plans form the principal plank of the third phase of our masterplan to help regenerate Rawtenstall town centre."

The first phase centres on New Hall Hey, the Heritage Arcade and Wesley House, the second is at Holly Mount House, after councillors last month approved plans to create luxury apartments and 33 houses there.

Mr Ashworth added: "Taken together the plans will have a significant and long-lasting effect on the regeneration of Rossendale."

Hurstwood head of planning Daniel Hartley added: "At this point there are no detailed designs for the hotel as this application is an outline only. If approved by the council it will allow the site to be marketed to hotel operators."

The Hurstwood Group agreed terms with Accrington and Rossendale College over the purchase of the college site last year, ahead of the college's plans for a major £9million development at its Accrington campus, where departments currently based in Rawtenstall will be transferred.