AMBITIOUS plans to build a service station complete with hotel and business park look set to go-ahead.

The scheme could mean hundreds of new jobs for the area and council officials are recommending approval of the development.

The service station is planned for the south side of the M65 motorway close to the Earcroft junction in Darwen.

Developers Williams Properties and Peveril Securities are working on the project which will be discussed by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee on Thursday.

Planning experts say the area around the proposed service station is under-developed and has been earmarked for use as a a service station.

Developers also want to build a hotel, distribution centre and business park.

A public meeting has been held when around 50 Earcroft residents listened to local councillors who spoke in support of the plan.

The Highways Agency carried out a survey to look at what effect the service station would have on traffic around Earcroft and the busy motorway junction. The Government agency decided the plan should go ahead and a report on the impact of the development on the local environment has also been completed.

Planning officials at Blackburn town hall are recommending that councillors approve the project but add a number of conditions. The scheme has already been granted outline planning approval at earlier committee meeting.