Plans for a leisure, retail and residential development in New Hall Lane, Preston, have been given the go-ahead by the Government.

Proposals for a discount food store, bingo hall, 92 flats and associated car parks and road access, were given outline planning permission by the secretary of state, John Prescott, on Tuesday.

Architects will now discuss the next step with developers, William Kayley Ltd, and will begin to draw up firm plans for the site on land near the former Preston Farmers, which were offices used by a farming equipment company.

It has been a long time coming for developers who first put in an application in September 2003.

No firm decisions have been made as to which bingo and food companies should be approached to be part of the development.

Derek Bolton, of Stockport-based architects, Pulmann Associates Limited, said: "We're in the very early stages.

"This is tremendous news and we will be able to get started on the real work now."

Mr Bolton said: "It's an exciting development which will include different elements of residential, leisure and retail.

"We don't know who will be involved or how many jobs it will create yet and we will have to get further permission from Preston City Council as our plans get more definite but it's good that things are moving."

It is the second application to be approved in the vicinity.

Travelodge were granted permission for a 70-bedroom hotel last month.