A £12.5 million plan for Burnley town centre was given the go-ahead today as a Government inspector swept away traders' objections to the major development.

It means that work on the Curzon Street scheme, which will provide new stores, shops and car parking to revitalise the shopping centre, will begin next month, with the new stores open by Christmas 1999.

The long-awaited Department of the Environment public inquiry report, revealed exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph today, gives developers and their Burnley council partners the green light for road closures vital to the major project.

Traders, who objected to the closure of the present market service area exit into Curzon Street, argued that the plan would cause congestion, danger and traffic chaos.

Confident

But in his 40-page report, planning appeal inspector, Dr Chris McDonald, says that issue is not for him to decide and must be resolved locally.

But he has told the developers they must renegotiate the Marks and Spencer store service area arrangements before final approval is given.

Today council project spokesman, Stuart Mitchell, said negotiations with the company were already under way and he was confident agreement would soon be reached. "We are delighted and relieved," he said.

"It means a major project which will greatly benefit Burnley can now move ahead quickly."

Market traders' spokesman, Paddy Brady, said his association was deeply disappointed with the inspector's findings and added: "It does not do Burnley and favours at all."

He added he would study the report before making detailed observations.

The first phase of the scheme will be to provide 500 new car parking spaces close to Marks and Spencer - and the controversial demolition of the St James' Church spire.

Cleared

The present Market Car stack - stricken by concrete cancer - will remain in use until the end of the year before that, too, will be cleared to make way for new shopping.

Major retailers T.J. Hughes and Wilkinsons have already signed up for 70,000 sq ft new stores in the development and they will be trading by the end of next year if all goes to plan.

The retail developments are expected to create 100 new jobs, says Mr Mitchell.

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