MYSTERY surrounds who will take over two new retail stores to be built in Burnley town centre as Sainsburys today announced they were no longer interested.

The Harcros site, in Centenary Way, was being considered by the superstore as a Homebase or possibly a new food store.

But today a spokeswoman said: "We did consider the site but the space restrictions meant that what we wanted could not be accommodated. So we are not pursuing it any further.

"But we are still considering options for the store."

Plans for two non-food retail outlets, on the former Ribble bus depot site, were given permission by development control councillors, subject to a pedestrian link with the main shopping area being agreed. Councillors again voiced concern over the planned introduction of traffic lights on the busy, dual-carriageway Centenary Way.

Coun Enid Tate feared it would set a precedent in agreeing to traffic lights to support a planning development.

But the road is controlled by Lancashire County Council and their engineers approved the idea.

A further application for a food store on the next-door BT site was set to be refused on highway grounds in April.

But just before planners met an appeal was lodged because a decision had not been made in the allotted eight-week limit.

A public inquiry is set for October but a spokeswoman for the planning department said a further application was expected to be lodged before that date.

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