Plans for a £16m revamp of Whitebirk Retail Park are set to be refused.

Developers say that up to 250 new jobs would be generated under the scheme by Peel Holdings as part of the refurbishment and modernisation of the site.

But planning officials at Hyndburn Council have recommended that the planning committee refuses the application when it meets on Wednesday, April 11.

Whitebirk Retail Park, which houses stores including PC World and SCS Sofas, currently has 15 units, around half of which are vacant.

Site bosses want to increase the units to 18 and are currently in talks with a number of firms to attract them to the site.

But officers have recommended that the application for a certificate of lawfulness is refused.

In February, the Observer revealed how furniture giant CSL, currently based at a 17,000 sq ft complex on the outskirts of Hyndburn, would move into a new stand alone unit if the plans went ahead.

Peel bosses said the scheme would be a great boost for the area.

A Peel spokesperson said: "We are obviously disappointed with the officers’ recommendations to refuse the plans.

"Peel has modernised Whitebirk Retail Park. Our proposal represents well over £16m of direct investment into Hyndburn – into a retail centre which is dying on its feet.

"The work, if the council approves it, could start in the summer."

The spokesperson added: "Council officials are flying in the face of the wishes of the community."

If given the go-ahead, work could begin on the site in the next six months.

The scheme would also pave the way for improved car parking and pedestrian routes, additional access of Whitebirk Drive and comprehensive landscaping, lighting and CCTV.