COUNCILLORS have vowed to listen to public concerns on proposals for a new two-storey car park at the Boundary Mill store.

Libra Textiles Ltd has applied to Pendle Council to build the car park at the Colne store, with enough capacity for 600 vehicles.

The company believes the additional spaces are needed to alleviate congestion, but local residents fear the proposed structure will be an eyesore.

Coun Tony Greaves has ‘called in’ the planning application, meaning it will be dealt with by Pendle Council’s Colne Committee instead of planning staff.

In its application Libra Textiles Ltd says the proposed development at the Vivary Way store is necessary because traffic has “exceeded all expectations”.

The report says options were ‘explored’ for a multi-storey deck car park of up to four storeys, but abandoned after it was felt it would be ‘too visually dominant.’ It adds: “Therefore we explore the possibility of a single deck car park in two sections but linked with bridges. This provides for a potential phasing of the works while the store is open and also maintains the symmetry of the entrance road.”

The development will also include access ramps and stair towers and allow for pedestrian access to the building at first floor level.

Coun Greaves has said it is a substantial proposal which would turn most of the existing car park into a two-storey structure, so it should be considered by councillors.

He added: "There is a great deal of public concern about the nature of the proposal and very real issues of the proposed design and parking policy to be considered, so it is right and proper that elected councillors should make the decisions."

The application will be considered at the December meeting of the Colne and District Committee .