A MULTI-MILLION pound shopping centre plan must be scrapped if nearby streets are not closed, a planning inquiry was told.

Businesses and residents have lodged objections to the plan by Great Portland Estates, owner of the Charter Walk shopping centre in Burnley, to stop up five roads around the proposed development, which received outline planning approval from Burnley Council last year.

The £12.5m redevelopment plan of the market car stack and Curzon Street took three years to design, its architect Stuart Boott told a public inquiry at Burnley town hall. He added: "I have 29 years experience and this is the best scheme for the site."

The affected roads are Brun Street, Brick Street, Bethesda Street, Curzon Street and an unnamed highway linking Bethesda and Curzon Streets.

Asked what would happen if the stopping up orders were refused, Mr Boott said: "I think my client would be loath to continue any further with the development of the site.

"Given that there is a clear need for redevelopment of the Curzon Square area of Burnley town centre from the planning, commercial and civic standpoints, I consider that the interests of the town and general public outweigh the minor effect of the proposed stopping up orders."

Retail giant Marks and Spencer had objected to the road closures, but the plans have since been modified to allow access to its storage area using Brick Street.

Market traders are opposed because they would lose an exit ramp from the market storage area on to Curzon Street.

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