11:45am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Tom Moseley
THE multi-million pound redevelopment of Preston is “unrealistic”, according to a scathing report prepared for Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses.
The report, by retail consultant FSP, was presented to the hearing into the £700million Tithebarn scheme, which got underway yesterday.
Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils are opposing the plans, which would create 81,000 square metres of retail floor space, including flagship John Lewis and Marks and Spencer stores, a new bus station, residential units and a car park.
Critics, who also include Pendle Borough Council, fear it will drag shoppers away from their town centres and hamper East Lancashire’s regeneration.
According to FSP, many of the potential retailers proposed are struggling in the recession and would be unlikely to relocate.
But rival consultants Cushman and Wakefield, for the Tithebarn Partnership, hit back at the “extremely negative” report, and Preston council officers have not changed their recommendation for the scheme to go ahead.
Yesterday, Preston City Council’s planning committee was given detailed presentations on the plans by officers.
The committee will vote on the scheme after it is debated in detail next week at Preston Town Hall.
Even if it is awarded planning permission, a government inquiry could still be forced because of the local authorities’ objections.
There has been a bitter war of words between councils on the issue, and an inquiry would severely delay the project.
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Michael Lee said he did not expect much opposition from Preston councillors at this stage.
He added: “The longer it is delayed the lesser impact it could have.”
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