A POPULAR shopping complex on the edge of Blackburn town centre could be extended with six new stores.

Stafford-based Creswell Estates are hoping to get planning permission for new development at Russell Street, the site of the former British Gas depot which closed three years ago with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

The Developers and British Gas have been holding talks with council planning officials in recent months.

Creswell are optimistic the scheme will get planning permission and negotiations are at an advanced stage.

The aim would be to link the six new shops with the stores behind Blackburn Arena.

The developers say it is too early to forecast how many jobs will be created if the scheme goes ahead.

Several national companies have already said they would like to move on to the new complex. The interested firms sell a range of goods from electrical items to shoes. Creswell have applied for full planning permission for the stores which would cover more than 64,500 square feet along with parking space for 250 cars.

David Evans, of A E W Architects and Designers in Manchester, who drew the plans, said: "The site has been empty for some time and the local authority is keen to see it developed.

"We have had numerous discussions with them and are hopeful the application will be successful.

"The aim is to link the development with the already successful stores alongside the arena. Obviously the site would be split by Russell Street but that is not seen as a problem."

Blackburn's borough planning officer Peter Kuit said: "This is an empty building and we would like to see it used."

"The application is complimentary to the development alongside Asda and it is technically a town centre site."

"We would like to see the town centre developed first but available sites are what interest developers."

The application is likely to be discussed at a planning sub-committee in June.

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