After four years of delays, development has started on a huge 25,000 sq. ft Homebase store and garden centre in Calder Vale Road, yards from Focus Do-It-All.

The store, set to create up to 45 jobs, will join the new £81m. college and university complex in the regeneration of the Princess Way area of town, next to the Burnley viaduct. It is expected to open next spring.

A planning application was originally submitted by Homebase in the summer of 2004 and given go-ahead, but Burnley Council then did a U-turn over the sale of the land and the scheme was put on the backburner.

The former brownfield site is in two parts divided by the River Calder and will incorporate a 10,000 sq ft garden centre and car park.

The developer will provide two contract car parks on adjoining land to ease Burnley's parking difficulties. The derelict land was last used for car storage and sales. The new store will be accessible from Calder Vale Road, off Active Way, and Ashfield Road, off Westgate.

Mr Richard Tovey of developers the Gregory Group, said: "We have worked hard for several years to bring forward retail development at this site. Homebase's commitment to the scheme has allowed our plans to be realised. We are delighted to move ahead as it will have such a positive impact on the town. We expect the project to be completed and the DIY store open for trade by Easter."