THE first step in building a new £55million shopping centre development for Burnley has been taken.

The multi-million-pound Oval development plan for the former Pioneer supermarket site, which will include a department store and more than 25 shops, has been described as one of the most important developments Burnley has ever seen.

The development would increase the town centre's retail space by up to 50 per cent.

The council's development control committee approved an outline planning application by Manchester developers Henry Boot, the company behind the development, last night.

Chair of the committee Coun David Halsall said: "This town is crying out for a large store to stop people drifting away from the town."

But planning consultant Andrew Walker said care needed to be taken to make sure the development did not adversely affect other parts of the town.

He said: "It is vital the proposal is integrated into the town centre so that it will not threaten the future viability of the town."

The plans were originally due to come before councillors last month.

But the design for the multi-storey car park and flood plans were incomplete and comments from the highway authority had not been received.

A leading department store, believed to be Debenhams, would act as the anchor' store for the 250,000sq ft complex.

Other high street names rumoured to be interested in securing a slot in the development include Gap, Next, and H&M.