LABOUR have defeated a move to put proposals to demolish Darwen’s three-day market ‘on hold’ while a committee of councillors examines the cost of keeping it open.

Whitehall councillor David Foster requested the whole issue be considered by ‘an appropriate scrutiny committee’ before any further action during an angry debate at Blackburn with Darwen borough’s full Council Forum.

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In a named vote, retiring Labour councillor Ron O’Keefe broke ranks and voted with the Liberal Democrats and Tories in favour of the referral.

Borough regeneration boss, Cllr Phil Riley, author of the report to February’s executive board earmarking the market hall or demolition, accused Cllr Foster of ‘blistering negativity’ and ‘blatant electioneering’ in advance of May 5’s local polls.

He said with just 17 traders, nine of whom were prepared to move to the main market, keeping the three-day building open would be ‘a colossal waste of public money’.

LibDem leader Cllr Foster said while he had no objection to the demolition and redevelopment of the site ‘in principle’, any decision must be ‘carefully considered and evidence-based’.

He questioned the figures on which the February decision was based and said the costs of demolition at £420,000 could far exceed independent estimates of £200,000 for essential repairs to keep it open.

Accusing Cllr Riley of pre-empting any final decision, he said: “The best thing is to refer this issue to scrutiny so we make the right decision rather than rush it.”

Retiring LibDem councillor for Sudell Paul Browne blamed the borough council for the decline of the three-day market.

He said: “The Labour group which have run this council for most of 43 years and they have done nothing for this market.

“We haven’t had a decent markets manager in Darwen and there has been no investment in it.

“The traders have paid their rent for years and got nothing for it, which is why we are in this position.”

Sunnyhurst Labour councillor Brian Taylor said: “The three-day market is a carbuncle which is holding Darwen back.”

East Rural Tory councillor Julie Slater, referring to a 3,500 signature petition to keep the building open, said: “I am passionate about Darwen and its market.

“This process has been done totally the wrong way round.”

Cllr Riley said the final decisions on demolition and redevelopment of the site would be taken by June’s Executive board.

Shadsworth with Whitebirk’s Cllr O’Keeffe, who chaired the borough health scrutiny committee, said: “I believe this decision benefit from proper examination by a scrutiny committee.”