MAJOR plans to bring a new Aldi store and three complementary shops to the outskirts of an East Lancashire town centre have divided opinion.

Ropemaker Properties Ltd is behind the development at New Hall Hey, Rawtenstall, just yards from the recently-opened M&S, T K Maxx and Pets at Home complex off the A56, and is promising 100 full or part-time jobs.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But the proposals for a triangular site off Stanney Lodge Road have sparked fresh fears of the town’s traditional shopping areas being ignored in favour of peripheral sites.

A Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce spokesman said: “There is no need for a further food supermarket.

“Since 2008 the council has granted permission for Lidl and M&S in Rawtenstall and Morrison’s in Bacup.

“The proposal is a threat to the existence of local traders and the council should be supporting its local businesses.”

And Rossendale Civic Trust chairman Kathy Fishwick said: “The proposal will compete with Rawtenstall town centre and the Valley Centre and the layout does not suit the gateway location.”

Trust officials also believe that the out-of-town centre has poor pedestrian access and does not benefit from a regular bus service.

Another eight letters of objections have been received by Rossendale Council, mainly from traders, all worried that another shopping park would be a “step too far”

But the applicant is arguing that the principle of retail and leisure at New Hall Hey has been established for nearly a decade, with previous planning permissions accepted for the land.

Planning agent Daniel Brown, on behalf of the developer, said: “It will result in the redevelopment of a longstanding vacant site which does not contribute to the local economy and is of a poor quality environment, to provide a high-quality retail scheme on a prominent site at an important gateway into Rawtenstall area from the west along the A682.”

The plans will be considered by the borough’s development control committee next Tuesday.