A REVISED plan to build a major shopping and business complex at the end of the M65 has been backed by a senior planning officer.

Councillors have been recommended to give the green light to Pendle businessman Graham White's scheme to build shops, light industrial units, a restaurant and a fast food outlet on land off Vivary Way, Colne. But any permission will be on condition that the shops do not sell food and other items - including clothes, shoes, jewellery and cosmetics or CDs - so that the complex does not take trade away from existing stores in Colne and Nelson.

The proposed centre would sell household goods including washing machines, fridges and freezers which local people have to travel to Burnley or Blackburn to find. Mr White's firm Greenfield Park Ltd went back to the drawing board after concerns about its original plans and changed the layout of the business and retail park so that the proposed floorspace was equally divided between industry and shops.

Pendle Council's Colne area committee is recommended to grant planning permission, despite a list of 55 objections from nearby residents, when it meets on Thursday. A report by planning officer Janet Holland said planning rules meant there had to be clear evidence a development would affect nearby town centres to be able to refuse a scheme on those grounds.

In this case that arguement could not be backed up.

The complex would be built on a former landfill site and an in-depth investigation into the risk of methane gas and other potential problems would have to be carried out before any work went ahead.

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