WORK on the former Prestige site, in Burnley, will begin earlier than expected after councillors agreed to vary two of the planning conditions.

The developers wish to begin demolition work this month, with construction work to begin in May and an expected completion date for the new Sainsburys store of March 2001.

A refusal to vary the conditions, which stated that the design and external appearance of the site must be "approved" before any development begins, would have caused a delay of six or more weeks.

Both conditions were aimed at preventing the demolition of the body of the Prestige building until there was a certainty that the development would proceed without delay because the unprotected facade would be likely to deteriorate if left without a building supporting it.

Councillors at the Development Control Sub-Committee meeting approved the new condition that the plans must be simply submitted than approved.

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