PLANS for a luxury hotel and spa at Brierfield Mill will “transform the town”, a councillor has said.

Artists impressions of the £34m development were met with warm approval by residents who flocked to an exhibition at Brierfield Town Hall yesterday.

County Cllr Azhar Ali said the ambitious proposals would act as a “catalyst” for Pendle’s tourism industry.

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A planning application for the scheme, known as Northlight, is expected to be submitted within a fortnight, while a number of private sector investors are already believed to have committed to the project.

Cllr Ali said: “Pendle Council, Lancashire County Council and Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Limited (Pearl) are all onside and working together for this one.

“It will transform Brierfield. It is ambitious, but we believe we can get the funding in place for it. It will create new jobs and opportunities for the people of Pendle.

“Everyone I have spoken to today is impressed with what the developers have drawn up. This will act as a catalyst for more investment in Brierfield and I hope it happens.”

The plans went on show alongside those for the nearby Clitheroe Road housing scheme, which could see 48 homes built.

Tony and Marie Starkie, of Chatburn Park Drive, said they were impressed with both schemes.

Mr Starkie said: “We’ve got a real interest because we live so close by. I think both schemes are exactly what is needed for the town.

“We remember when it was all terraced houses round there but there is real demand for these bungalows for people down-sizing like ourselves.

“The hotel is marvellous. We have some fantastic countryside nearby, and with the marina, I think tourism is something we need to give a real push.”

His wife added: “There’s really not many nice places to stay around here so I think it could be a real success.”

Julie Palmer, senior regeneration officer at Pendle Council, said 55 people had come to view the plans within three hours of them going on display.

She said: “This open day has been really successful. We have had some fantastic feedback on both schemes and everyone’s views will be put to Pearl tomorrow.”

Organisers would still not be drawn on which hotel chain had expressed an interest in the site, other than to reiterate that it was ‘an upmarket’ name.