Major proposals for an education campus - which will change the face of Blackburn town centre - are set to go under the microscope this week.

Blueprints for the five-storey Training 2000 and University of Central Lancashire project are set to go before borough planners on Thursday, with a ground floor cafe for public use.

An outline permission is also being sought for an adjacent second building, which has also been earmarked for education and research purposes.

An urban park would also be created in the shadow of the developments, on land bounded by Brown Street, Ainsworth Street and Penny Street, which housed the former Blackburn Market.

The proposals have been drawn up on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council and their development partners Maple Grove and have been recommended for approval, subject to delegation.

Planning chiefs have acknowledged that the scheme will result in the loss of 172 parking spaces, as the buildings will encompass the existing Brown Street car park.

But councillors have been told the car park was always envisaged as a temporary measure - and 183 spaces will remain.

Martin Kelly, the borough's strategic director for growth and development, says in a report: "The proposed development would be the largest of its kind in the region and is central to the delivery of the £250m investment for Blackburn town centre.

"It forms a key strategic initiative, in support of the council’s strategic Growth Axis ambitions, as set out in the Local Plan, to link strategic development sites and key growth corridors across the borough and beyond, and forms part of the wider regeneration plans for the eastern town centre."

Part-funding comes from £20m of government levelling up funding for the first phase of the Blackburn Business Innovation District's skills and education campus. Under the proposals Training 2000 will relocate there.

Mr Kelly adds: "This proposal, as part of the Business Innovation District development, will support the overall delivery of 1,200 new jobs, 400 new homes and £1bn of new economic activity over the next decade, outcomes which are critical to levelling up the borough."

Justice officials have also sought to ensure building work does not interfere with family hearings at the nearby court centre in nearby Victoria Street.

In a letter to planners, Paul Russell, of Blackburn Family Hearing Centre, says no objection is being filed in relation to the plans.

He adds though: "But (I) have been asked to raise a concern due to the proximity to the Family Court House over the noise from the building site disrupting hearings taking place.

"The judiciary would like to work with the site during construction to minimise noise and to be informed of any unavoidable days when there may be excessive noise so that they can make necessary arrangements so as to minimise potential disruptions."