CIVIC leaders fear a £40million plan to regenerate Rawtenstall Town Centre would see developers "taking over Rawtenstall".

The ambitious plans by the Rossendale-based Hurstwood Group have been re-submitted and altered after the original proposal was controversially turned down by Rossendale Borough Council in July.

Today former Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Mollie Disley, said she and other members of the council had reservations despite being lobbied by the man behind the scheme, Stephen J Ashworth, Hurstwood Group chairman.

The long-standing Hareholme ward councillor said it would benefit the town - but added that she was concerned that Rawtenstall would end up being called Hurstwood'.

Coun Disley said: "I am worried that Hurstwood will end up taking over Rawtenstall. It won't be called Rawtenstall anymore it will be called Hurstwood.

"But on the other hand the ruling group don't seem to be doing anything except closing things so Rawtenstall has become a ghost town.

"I am starting to wonder whether it would be better to let them take over and get something done.

"My concern is that if Hurstwood don't do this, how long is Rawtenstall going to be left like it is?"

Hurstwood has reduced the amount of retail space by more than a third in the new plans. The revised application, which includes The Heritage Arcade, The Sailors and Soldiers Club in Queens Square and New Hall Hey, was submitted last week.

The company has made a simultaneous application for Wesley House in Bacup Road.

Mr Ashworth is lobbying councillors to try to win backing for the re-submitted plan, which is due to go to the Development Control Committee on Tuesday, March 7.

He said: "We have written to all councillors to try to rally support. We know the public want it, we know it will be good for the town and we need the councillors to be aware of what it means.

"We believe this application will kick-start the regeneration of Rawtenstall."

The plan would see a new Homebase DIY store built at New Hall Hey, as well as a range of business, commercial and leisure facilities across the town.