A HUGE opportunity could be waiting for the regeneration of a large part of Burnley town centre after a major demolition project takes place, according to a senior councillor.

Ambitions for the Curzon Street site, earmarked for a retail, leisures, offices and possible residential development, include a landmark three-storey building overlooking Active Way.

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An artist's impression of what the imposing structure, to be situated near the junction with Royle Road, would look like has been released.

Question marks have remained over what will happen to the site, formerly home to Pioneer Co-op and currently used as a car park, for more than 14 years.

But with the nearby former open market and old Studio 123 complex due to be pulled down later this year, the outlook for the sprawling site could change.

The Pioneer Co-op land was bought from Burnley Council by London-based leisure and retail developers Terrace Hill in July 2014, with the promise of a retail and leisure complex, including a cinema, by the end of the year. But nothing has been forthcoming to date and it has remained as a pay and display car park.

Council bosses are still advertising for a development partner for the 3.7 acre site, with their brief extending as far as Parker Street and the open market access bridge.

The keynote building would be in the north-west corner of the site and help to create a 'key gateway'.

Cllr Sue Graham, executive member for regeneration and economic development, said: "There are a lot of changes happening with the demolition of the old open market and the former cinema so there is going to be much more opportunity to look for something different in that area."

Late last year it was confirmed that Primark would be coming to Charter Walk, after the borough council provided a £750,000 investment to reorganise the town's main shopping centre.

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, Liberal Democrat opposition group leader, said: "One of the problems may be that the council makes a fortune out of that car park - the income each year is around £1million.

"The other big problem with that site has also been the culvert, which runs underneath and would have to be dealt with. But we have been looking to do something with the Pioneer site since at least 2002 or 2003."

The River Brun runs underneath Royle Road and is an open watercourse through part of the site, before disappearing into one of Burnley's larger culverts.

Manchester-based developer Henry Boot led a bid to tempt Debenhams to Burnley several years ago but the retailer baulked at the chance, fearing for the possible impact on their Blackburn store.

Land in the Place de Vitry, which incorporates the former Thompson Centre site, has also been earmarked as a potential landmark office opportunity for some time.

The 1.48 acre location, between the central library and the magistrates court and police station building, has been home to a 250-space car park since the former leisure centre was removed in 2006. But any proposals would need to blend in with the town centre conservation area, developers have been advised.