The exciting two-phase proposal for the site of the Keirby Park Hotel in Keirby Walk has been submitted to Burnley Borough Council.

Developers hope the project, which will also see the complete refurbishment of the hotel and the building of 44 one and two bedroom apartments adjacent to the hotel, will breathe new life into the Keirby Walk area of town.

Managing director of RMA Developments, which owns the hotel and has projects in this area and Dubai, Mr Mohammed Asjad said: "The development will regenerate all that area.

"What we are planning to do is to bring back Keirby Walk shopping and bring more people back to that side of town. It was a prime site and it still is but it has been neglected for a good 15 or 20 years."

The plans have been welcomed by Burnley Borough Council leader Coun. Gordon Birtwistle and members of Burnley and District Chamber of Trade.

Speaking at a meeting of Burnley and District Chamber of Trade this week, president-elect Mr Brian Hobbs branded the plans "brilliant".

"We can't help but support this development. If this doesn't work to regenerate that end of town, I don't know what will."

Burnley Borough Council's head of markets Mr Colin Hill, who also has responsibility for the town centre, said that he hoped if the development went ahead, both phases of the project would be completed.

"I am concerned about the phasing of it. I wouldn't like to see one bit done and the second bit just left if it doesn't work."

But while retailers in Keirby Walk generally agree that the finished development will be a huge boost, some are worried that building work in the meantime could deter people from visiting businesses there.

Mrs Linda Calverley, owner of Flavours Tea Rooms in Keirby Walk, said: "I am not against the apartments, the Keirby Park Hotel at the moment is an eyesore. I think it will be good when it's finished but I'm just concerned about what we are going to have to put up with in the meantime in terms of building work and whether or not we can survive. We would just like some communication from the developers to let us know how we will be affected."

Mr Asjad said minimal disruption will be caused to businesses in Keirby Walk with all site traffic coming through from Church Street. He said only a small section of the car park will be closed to the public.

"I am very very excited about this development. My vision is that it will bring back town centre living."

The ground floor of the existing hotel will be converted to incorporate five small shop units along with the ground floor of the new building.

Bosses plan to use the function room on the first floor of the hotel for conferences, weddings and banqueting and a roof top terrace to be used as a bar or restaurant will be built on the second floor overlooking Yorkshire Street.

The first phase will provide the apartment and one shop unit and the second phase will incorporate a further four retail units, the refurbishment of the existing hotel and roof terrace.

A decision on the development is set to be made in June and if approved work could start early next year.

• Modern town centre living accommodation is also set to come to Calder Street.

Plans have been submitted to demolish Calder Vale House, which currently houses the Active Way Beds and Furniture Centre, and build an eight-storey complex incorporating 50 apartments and restaurant.

Click here to view more pictures of the development