CONTROVERSIAL plans for Burnley's proposed £12.5 million centre shopping scheme are getting the seal of approval from the public, say council property bosses.

The design of the Curzon Street stores and car park plan was savaged by the Mayor, Enid Tate, who labelled it a 'travesty' and Liberal Democrat leader Gordon Birtwistle, who said a child of 12 could produce better.

Now the public is to get a final chance to have its say at an exhibition of the plans in the town centre.

Property services manager, Stuart Mitchell, said: "Of the comments we have received from members of the public to date, the overwhelming majority have liked what they have seen."

The display is being staged in Santa's Grotto on the market square balcony and town hall officers will be there to explain the proposals put forward by developers Great Portland Estates, on October 6 and 8, from 1.30pm.

Council chiefs are trying to win over public support for the plan, which includes the creation of two new stores, many shops and a new multi-storey car stack.

Mr Mitchell said: "The area is presently dominated by the run-down, unattractive multi-storey car park which interrupts the route between the main shopping area and the Curzon Street and Standish Street areas."

He added: "Without the development, the market car stack will continue to decay and the streets around are likely to become increasingly unattractive."

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