A CONTROVERSIAL Blackburn discount clothes store could be on the move - but its bosses won't say where.

A planning application has been submitted requesting permission to demolish the existing QS Fashions store in Cherry Tree, Blackburn, and build 19 houses on the site.

QS Fashions was given planning permission to trade out of the warehouse in Green Lane in 1996 on the basis that it would be for wholesale customers first.

But within weeks of it opening, council officers claimed the firm was using a card membership scheme to get around the rules, attracting large numbers of visitors and causing traffic problems in Green Lane.

The council said it that effectively meant the firm was acting as a regular shop and posed a threat to the vitality of the town centre.

The firm was served with an enforcement notice in 1997, which it appealed against.

A public inquiry was held in 1998, which QS lost, and the firm was told to tighten up its membership criteria so only people buying for businesses could shop there.

QS took its case to the High Court, but later withdrew the case.

Last year, the Evening Telegraph revealed the council was using private investigators to held build a new case against the firm.

Today, a spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "We are continuing to monitor the activities but cannot comment further."

A spokesman for QS said: "We do have plans and are aware of the planning application which has been submitted.

"Some details are still to be discussed and we don't really want to talk about it at the moment but we can promise we have big plans for Blackburn."