DEVELOPERS today unveiled more details of the multi-million pound plan to transform the centre of Burnley -- and called for the council to back their dream.

Stannifer Developments, who bought the Curzon Street and Charter Walk retail centres last year, say research since taking over the sites shows a demand for more shopping space in the town.

They want to deliver it by buying the former Co-op supermarket store in Curzon Street, knocking it down and building a new "anchor" site.

Stannifer want the council to back their bid in the face of rival projects.

They also want council backing for their plans to build more retail units leading from the end of Curzon Street to the heart of Burnley's shopping centre.

As well as the new units, Stannifer are considering landscaping the area around the nearby River Calder and using it as a feature for the new plans.

The former Co-op supermarket site has been empty and unused for the past two years and since its closure developers have struggled to find a new purpose for the building.

Unveiling the ambitious plans for the town, Paul Blythe, a development officer for Stannifer, said: "There are a number of retailers that are acquisitive at the moment and that is creating high levels of demand for towns like Burnley.

"We have on on-going masterplan exercise using our expertise in the market and our relationship with retailers as to how we can create that space.

"The demand is there, but now we have to act to fulfil that demand and look at working with those retailers who want to come into the town.

"It is our intention and desire to work with Burnley Borough Council to deliver a new gateway development which would be the new entrance for shoppers into the retail heart of the town centre.

"We see it as an opportunity for a partnership between the public and private sectors. The key here is for Stannifer and Burnley Borough Council to act now and capitalise on demand.

"The desire is there, but words now need to be turned into action. We are at a point now where we need to see enthusiasm turned into action. We can't do it on our own."

Stannifer, an international development and investment group based in Stratford-upon-Avon, South African investment company Corovest and Bank of Scotland Corporate Banking, jointly bought Curzon Street and Charter Walk retail centres last year.

Former owners, Great Portland Estates, decided to sell up after their board made a decision to concentrate on properties in London.

He added that Stannifer had a proven track record of creating successful retail developments. A recent example, according to Mr Blythe is the transformation of a former brewery site in Romford, Essex.

The site is now a burgeoning retail complex, and that, according to Mr Blythe, is down to a successful partnership with Havering Council.

A spokesman for Havering Council said: "Stannifer Developments, together with their partners J Sainsbury's, have recently been involved in the redevelopment of the former Romford Brewery site.

"The scheme has been trading for some 18 months and has proved to be a very popular addition to Romford's facilities." Burnley's council leader, Stuart Caddy gave the plans a cautious welcome. He said: "We are excited by what Stannifer are saying.

"But we will have to wait until the sale of the site has been finalised."

And the town's MP Peter Pike is also waiting for the sale of the site to be completed before making full comment.

Mr Pike said: "I am anxious for the Co-op site to be developed, that is my main concern at the moment and I know that Stannifer have plans that would be of an advantage to Burnley."