An East Lancashire township is set to get a new Home Bargains store creating more than 70 jobs.

Hyndburn Council's planning committee has been recommended to approve the the national discount chain's bid for the new outlet in Heys Lane, Great Harwood.

It will be built on the site of a former gas storage works.

The £6 million development will include a garden centre.

A planning officers report recommends councillors to approve the scheme.

It says: "This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of a new retail store with garden centre, servicing and car parking areas and associated works.

"The application site is irregularly shaped and is a previously developed parcel of land.

"It forms part of a dis-used gas storage facility and is located close to the junction between Park Road and Heys Lane to the east of Great Harwood town centre.

"It is estimated that the use of the site as a storage facility/compound ceased around 2018 with the applicant purchasing the site in June 2021.

"On the opposite side of Heys Lane facing the site to the south is an Aldi food retail store and adjoining the site to the west is a car dealership.

"The application proposes the erection of a retail store with the operator identified as Home Bargains.

"The store would provide 2,323 square metres of floor space incorporating sales/display areas, storage facilities and staff areas.

"Externally is an open garden centre area of 932sqm.

"Car parking for 150 spaces is proposed, including 22 disabled and parent and child parking spaces. 16 cycle parking spaces are proposed for customer with a further eight spaces for staff.

"The proposed main store building would be of natural stone and buff brick construction with cladding at higher level.

"An entrance feature is proposed to the east and south elevations and would include a glazed corner feature to the south east, facing Heys Lane.

"The current access into the site from Heys Lane would be relocated.

"It is estimated that the store would provide around 70 to 80 jobs, with 80 per cent of those being flexible/part time opportunities.

"The site has been vacant for a period of time.

"The proposed development would generate 16 full-time and 64 part-time jobs and would represent an investment of around £6m.

"The proposal would also result in the regeneration of a prominent site and provide improved customer choice for residents.

"The applicant has demonstrated that that there are no suitable or available sequentially preferable locations that could accommodate the proposed development.

"In this particular case the planning balance is considered to fall in favour of granting planning permission.

"It is recommended that planning permission is granted subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement to secure a financial contribution towards off-site biodiversity enhancement and habitat creation."