UP to 300 jobs are on the way to Blackburn after plans to create a new retail park in the heart of the town were unveiled.

DIY giant B&Q plans to open one of its 100,000sq ft Warehouse superstores to anchor the new site, on land between Russell Street and Bolton Road, Blackburn.

The firm, which will keep open its existing store at the Whitebirk retail park on the outskirts of Blackburn, today said its Warehouse stores employed around 250 people.

Three smaller stores will also be built on the site, which, it is expected, will be used by 'bulky goods' retail operators such as electrical stores.

The planning application, which includes demolishing Nova Scotia Mill, has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council by Manchester developer Henry Boot.

Detailed discussions over the start of building work and an opening date for the business will begin if outline permission is given by councillors on Thursday.

A spokesman for B&Q said that the project was still subject to discussions with the developer.

But she added: "That site would be one of our Warehouse sites, and would employ around 250 people, ranging from customer service staff upwards.

"We do recruit locally and it would not affect our existing store in the town."

The project is supported by three of the four businesses which currently occupy the site, which spans 141,000sq ft.

National Tyre Service pine furniture firm Steve Allen and furnishers Jepsons have all written to support the scheme. Jepsons and Steve Allen will both relocate.

A report to the council states: "Overall, the current impression of the site, which occupies a prominent position at an important gateway to the town centre, is one of urban decline which, when coupled with significant vacancy rates, combine to create an impression of semi-dereliction, in need of regeneration."

In many other towns, such a development would have been located out of town.

But Blackburn with Darwen's Local Plan -- which gives every part of the borough a desired use -- insists that all retail developers must first look at town centre sites and only apply for out-of-town sites if nothing else suits.

The council report adds that the new retail park -- to be called Nova Scotia -- will complement existing retail parks.

It will neighbour both the Townsmoor Retail Park -- home to shops including Time and Blockbuster, and the Peel Centre, which has Asda, Halfords and JJB Sports among its tenants.

An extension to the Peel Centre was completed in March when Matalan and office supplies firm Staples opened. A new cinema is expected to share the Peel Centre expansion site as well.

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn's Chamber of Trade, was today unavailable for comment.

But recently, he said it was important to make sure that big businesses continued to move into Blackburn town centre rather than out-of-town sites.

Councillors have also spoken of their excitement about the scheme, but they cannot be quoted before the planning and highways committee meeting, because they would not then be allowed to speak at the meeting.