TESCO is edging towards winning approval for a new superstore in Burnley, with councillors expected to give a guarded go-ahead tomorrow.

And that could mean the town getting two new major stores - Tesco at Centenary Way and the already-approved new Sainsbury on the former Prestige site - in around two years, but only if both schemes receive final acceptance from the Secretary of State.

Councillors, who once seemed set to reject Tesco's 6,000 sq ft store and petrol filling station plan on the grounds that the town simply could not support another major food outlet, look poised to change direction at the development control committee.

They will hear expert advice that while Burnley does not yet have the spending power to support the new Sainsbury and Tesco, which alone expects a £34 million turnover, this will have changed by the time the stores are built.

Council consultants Grimleys say the Tesco proposal would have no adverse impact on the viability and vitality of Burnley or other town centres. Their advice makes it clear if the plan was granted, there would be "no real significant likelihood" that stores in the town centre or edge of centre locations would close, say officers.

The proposal, which includes a 400-space car park and offers many new jobs would mean a new junction at Red Lion Street/Centenary Way which, the company argues, will save Burnley £150,000 on redevelopment of the nearby bus station. The officers' report says the plan would create no material harm to the overall Development Plan Strategy, the site is highly accessible and there should be no adverse impact on overall travel patterns.

They want councillors to agree that the plan is acceptable in retail terms and encourage Tesco to continue negotiations with the planning authority on road issues.

Subject to satisfaction on these and other issues, the committee is being asked to pass the application going to the Secretary of State.

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