THE DEVELOPERS behind the Oval shopping centre project hope to be on site by spring next year.

It comes as Burnley Council’s chief executive Steve Rumbelow revealed that legal papers have been completed with one of two anchor tenants set to sign up to the £70million scheme.

A joint announcement from the council and developers Henry Boot is due to made soon to announce the two main tenants of the Curzon Street development.

On their website Henry Boot reveal they hope to be on site early next year.

But a spokesman for the firm said: “It is all dependent on how negotiations with the retailers go so we can’t put an exact time frame on when we will be on site.

“Talks are ongoing with retailers but it is quite a lengthy process.”

Mr Rumbelow said: “We are edging closer to a deal with the two anchor tenants and legals have been completed with one occupier.” Burnley Council has submitted an application to use the Curzon Street site that is earmarked for the centre as a temporary car park for the sixth year in a row.

The first application for a temporary car park accommodating 250 vehicles was made in 2004 for a period of 12 months, but it has continued to be renewed as the Oval development was hit with delays.