A STORES war could break out at the former Prestige factory site in Burnley if, as expected, councillors this week grant planning permission.

An outline application for development of the site to include a Sainsbury supermarket and Homebase store along with a business centre, garden centre, other retail units and a restaurant is being recommended for delegated approval, subject to conditions.

A similar multi-million pound scheme by Castlemore Securities for new warehousing, offices, a garden centre and supermarket with the creation of 500 jobs was last year rejected by Burnley's development control committee to protect the viability of the town centre.

Castlemore have submitted a new application yet to be considered. Both the Sainsbury and Castlemore applications could be agreed and then it would be up to the site owners to decide the next move.

The Sainsbury plan will be considered by the committee on Thursday. Burnley and District Civic Trust support it but consider a roundabout at the access point to be preferable to traffic lights. They also want a bridge link for pedestrians.

The application is opposed by Burnley and District Chamber of Trade who regard the site as being too remote from the town's main shopping area.

Only 138 public response forms were returned with two-thirds in favour of the application.

Great Portland Estates, owners of Charter Walk and Curzon Square shopping developments, do not object subject to restrictions on the range of goods sold and improved pedestrian links.

MP Peter Pike supports the application in principle. Castlemore Securities object to the application.

Officers will report that the development should not lead to the closure of any existing stores in the town.

Other possible sites such as the bus station and Keighley Green are not large enough to accommodate the foodstore. Sainsbury say its site in Church Street is not suitable to include a Homebase.

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