NEW plans are on the cards for the site of the collapsed £40million Oval project in Burnley.

The Oval shopping park at the former Pioneer site, off Curzon Street, was abandoned in March 2012, as Manchester-based developer Henry Boot controversially withdrew, citing a lack of interest from high street names.

But town hall chiefs are to meet behind closed doors next Tuesday to consider releasing the land, currently used as a huge car park, for redevelopment.

Council bosses have refused to comment on the negotiations but the Lancashire Telegraph understands it would be for leisure purposes, which would range from cafes and bars to a gym, nightclub or cinema.

The revelation has provoked a mixed response in Burnley in the wake of demise of The Oval, which was once linked with Debenham’s and later had Primark and Next suggested as anchor tenants.

Coun Margaret Lishman, Liberal Democrat group leader, said: “It is positive if we are bringing this site back into use and it will bring new life to that part of the town centre.

“There is a certainly an element of Burnley being on the up and it is always encouraging when people are prepared to invest in the town.”

But Coun Lishman warned that the council could lose a portion of its income from car parking fees if the land was now redeveloped.

Burnley's MP Gordon Birtwistle said: “If they sell the Pioneer land off then where are people going to park?

“That car park is busy seven days a week and if the site is sold off for a leisure facility then will people go elsewhere to shop, if they can’t find a space?”

Kay Donohue, who runs Waterlife and Pets, in Curzon Street, said she was eager for the site to be ‘tidied up’ and for stairs leading from the car park to be restored.

She believes that the previous retail complex vision, first launched as long ago as 2004, was always ‘short-sighted’, even given the economic climate when it was first suggested.

She also has doubts over whether a new leisure-based park would ultimately be viable in a town centre setting.

Mrs Donohue added: “We will have to wait and see what happens but something needs to be done there.

“If we could keep part of the site for car parking and use part of it for events, like a continental market or Christmas market then that would be welcome.”