AN Aldi supermarket could be built in Barnoldswick after plans were lodged to demolish part of Crownest Mill.

If the plans are approved, the oldest part of the property – an area not currently occupied by the present tenants Albert Hartley Ltd – would be demolished to make way for the store.

Aldi bosses said the Skipton Road development would create about 40 new jobs in the town and the store would take up 1,735 square metres.

Speaking on behalf of Aldi and textiles company Albert Hartley in a letter to planners, Daniel Brown, from How Planning, said: "At present, the site is in an industrial use, although this part of Crownest Mill has not been used by the existing occupier for some time and is of very limited visual or architectural interest.

"The significant investment proposed by Aldi will provide the opportunity to radically improve the appearance of this site whilst, also creating 40 full and part-time jobs.

"It will enhance consumer choice within Barnoldswick’s food retail sector. Furthermore, it will allow Albert Hartley to reinvest in its existing operation, safeguarding this Barnoldswick factory’s long-term viability and a considerable number of skilled local jobs for the future."

The application would also involve constructing a new access road, 120 car parking spaces for the store, a service area and hard and soft landscaping.

"I've been campaigning for development of this part of the site for years," said Barnoldswick councillor, David Whipp. "We're been concerned about it for a long time, so the proposal to redevelop the oldest part of the site is welcome.

"These proposals will bring jobs to the town and hopefully complement the strong, independent, family-run businesses in the town centre.

"The funds generated from the sale should also help bolster Albert Hartley Ltd and the skilled jobs they provide in the town."

Plans to build a 3,344 square metre superstore at the site were approved in October 2012, but that permission has since expired.

"There was previous planning permission approved for a store that was twice as large as this one, so I'm not anticipating there will be many planning grounds to oppose it," added Cllr Whipp.

"There are still people who don't think it's good for Barlick, but there will be a lot of people who shop out of town that would use it."

The plans can be viewed at Number One Market Street in Nelson or the Barnoldswick Local Office.

A consultation is ongoing until June 30.