MORE than £1million worth of improvements are to be made to public transport and highways in Rossendale after a developer was given permission to build three new stores.

Rossendale Council unanimously approved the Hurstwood Group's plans to open more retail units at its New Hall Hey development in Rawtenstall.

As part of the approved scheme, Hurstwood will spend £425,000 improving public transport and access and £750,000 on the construction of a roundabout on the Edenfield by-pass entr-ance into town.

Hurstwood's original plan, approved last year, was for one retailer - Homebase - alongside two leisure units.

But the developer submitted an amended plan with retail units replacing leisure, and the council's development control committee app-roved it despite objections from Rossendale Civic Trust about site design and access.

Argos and Pets at Home are to set up alongside Homebase.

Hurstwood's director of planning Daniel Hartley said: "We went back with an amended plan because town centre uses had changed since the ori-ginal approval, following the opening of the new Tesco store. The developments we are working on throughout the town centre will trigger inward investment on a massive scale, initially worth over £40 million, but in time that figure could well double.

"It will create over 1,000 new jobs and shoppers will have a far better choice.

"The approved scheme includes payment of £425,000 to be spent on public transport and access improvements and public art for the site and proposed roundabout.

"Part of the site will include the construction of a roundabout on the Edenfield by-pass at a cost to Hurstwood of £750,000."

Before being ratified, the plans will have to go before the Government Office North West because of the amount of retail space involved.

Although the scheme was approved, several councillors expressed concern at the loss of leisure facilities.