BLACKBURN with Darwen Council’s appeal against a £700million shopping centre in Preston has been thrown out today.

A High Court judge sitting in Manchester rejected the appeal over the Tithebarn project.

Mr Justice Langstaff said local government secretary Eric Pickles was right to allow the Tithebarn application to proceed.

It paves the way for the scheme, which has been planned for almost a decade, to be built.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses, who said the shopping centre would harm trade in the borough, have expressed their disappointment with the decision.

Coun Dave Harling said: “We took the action because we have a duty to protect our local businesses and jobs.

"We are concerned about the negative impact on our town as a result of the sheer size and scale of the proposed development."

Meanwhile Coun Peter Rankin, Preston City Council leader, said: "We are delighted that the court has upheld the decision of the Secretary of State to allow the Tithebarn development to go ahead.

"Our focus now is working with developers Lend Lease and Lancashire County Council to take Tithebarn forward, in what is a difficult economic climate.

"There is still a lot of work ahead, including raising the necessary finance and assembling the land.

"But now we have the planning permission, we can move forward with renewed energy and positivity to meet the challenges ahead to deliver the Tithebarn development and the investment and new jobs it will bring."

Lancashire County Council had backed the Tithebarn project.

Council leader Geoff Driver said: "We're very pleased because Tithebarn is essential to growing the economy not only in Preston but across Lancashire.

"A thriving Preston city centre will help the county to keep up with other growth areas in the North West, competing for investment, jobs and visitors.

"This decision is an important milestone and now we and the other partners in the scheme can get on with the challenge of turning these exciting plans into reality."