AN international design company who is leading the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster has been appointed to develop a new town centre master plan.

Architectural and engineering firm BDP has been brought in as the lead consultant to design the centre of Burnley and the Weaver’s Triangle area.

The sites which are set to be redeveloped include Curzon Street, Place De Vitry, Manchester Road and the King Street car park.

Brought in by Burnley Council and its partners UCLan and Burnley FC, the company has taken on several high profile contracts and this year including the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster.

The £100,000 plan to refurbish the town centre was the sign of a positive move, according to the leader of Burnley Council, Cllr Mark Townsend.

He said: “A key part of the borough’s growth strategy is to enhance the town centre offer, which is a significant retail, leisure, service and learning centre for much of Pennine Lancashire.

“We were delighted to announce the opening of Primark in Burnley Town Centre early 2018 and the new masterplan will develop a focussed strategy going forward to promote the ongoing potential in Burnley’s town centre.

“We want to unlock further development, attract new businesses and residential development and help to secure external funding to fund the next phase of plans.

“Burnley has a reputation for getting things done and has a strong package to offer investors.

“We are growing above national trends and have been identified as a boom town with all the ingredients needed to grow by economic experts.

“We want to keep being creative, doing things differently and creating new experiences to take the town forward and the masterplan will us achieve our objectives.”

The development plans come after a £3million project which saw redevelopment of St James Street, Parker Lane and the renovation of Charter Walk.

Doug Metcalf, Burnley Football Club’s stadium manager, said: “Burnley Football Club is pleased to be working in partnership with Burnley Council.

“The club is planning significant investment in its stadium in relation to the Premier League Accessible Stadia works, which are due for completion by August 2018.

“Turf Moor sits on the edge of the town centre and the masterplan should identify synergies to ensure the town benefits from having a premier league club on its doorstep.”

A formal launch of the new masterplan is expected to take place early in 2018.