THE government’s Northern Powerhouse plan based around Greater Manchester could be bad news for Blackburn and Burnley, university researchers have warned.

The academics yesterday presented a paper to a major conference, warning that claims wealth generated by the scheme will trickle down to Lancashire towns could prove groundless.

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The research was compiled by Professor Graham Haughton, Iain Deas and Dr Stephen Hincks, of the University of Manchester.

They told the Royal Geographical Society Annual International Conference at the University of Exeter the case for a Greater Manchester City region ignores the inconvenient fact that some of England’s highest economic growth is in medium-sized urban areas.

Professor Haughton told delegates: “The case for a Greater Manchester city region seems to rest on the assumption that areas close to Manchester will benefit from the greater growth and tax revenue the city will supposedly generate.

“We need to keep a careful eye on other potential growth areas outside Greater Manchester to make sure they are not disadvantaged.

“Are they to be left to hope for trickle-down? It could be a long wait if so.”

Dr Hincks told the Lancashire Telegraph: “There is a real risk the development of a city region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) could suck resources away from towns like Blackburn and Burnley rather than the reverse.

“The leaders of those boroughs need to take a cautionary approach to ensure that does not happen.”

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Phil Riley said yesterday: “I and borough leader Mohammed Khan have just met leaders of the GMCA to discuss just this issue. We are talking about how we ensure that we benefit from the Northern Powerhouse plans.”

Burnley council leader Mark Townsend said: “We are aware of the danger a Greater Manchester powerhouse might suck resources from our borough.

“We have established contacts with the combined authority to prevent that happening and are talking to neighbouring councils.”