A COUNCIL is set to sell a parcel of town centre land for retail development for £500,000 creating 25 permanent jobs.

Hyndburn Council's Cabinet will meet on Wednesday to be asked to authorise the sale of 1.57 acres of public open space on the Church Canal Gateway.

A total of 11 bids have been received for the plot of Blackburn Road.

A report to the senior councillors by the council's head of regeneration Mark Hoyle says: "The Church Canal Gateway site extends to approximately 1.57 acres.

"The site was formerly housing and is therefore not designated within the local plan, but discussions with the planning team indicate support for mixed use, especially employment.

"Retail use is not ruled out.

" The site is also subject to 'Planning Advice for Developments near Hazardous Installations' (PADHI) due to its close proximity to Blythe’s chemical works on Bridge Street.

"Previous advice has indicated that employment and retail uses are likely to be supported but this will need confirming.

"The council’s in-house valuer has produced an updated valuation of the site of £450,000."

Mr Hoyle recommends acceptance of the highest offer of £500,000 subject to planning consent for retail and leisure use.

It will create 40 to 50 jobs during construction and 25 once operational.

He said the bidder was specialised retail land promotion company with a regional presence.

The second highest bid was for £450,000 subject to a planning consent for at least 20,000 square feet of light industrial use creating 40 to 50 jobs during the construction period and 75 once operational from a local commercial developer with a track record of developing in the borough.

Mr Hoyle tells the Cabinet the preferred bid was the highest and there was a significant lack of retail locally.

He says the bidder had a strong interest from an unnamed retailer.

Mr Hoyle adds: "Disposal of the site will remove the financial responsibility for the site, especially the costs of fly tipping and antisocial behaviour.

"The council will need to advertise its intention to dispose of the open space and must consider any objections before a final decision on disposal is taken."