THE final decision on Leigh Sports Village has gone to extra time.

High Court Judge, Lord Richards, has promised to deliver his verdict by the end of July after a two day judicial review hearing in London.

Legal representatives acting for Wigan Council and developers Greenbank Partnerships Ltd and those acting on behalf of opponents PIP (Public Inquiry Please) and Campaign For Planning Sanity on Monday and Tuesday put forward their cases for and against the £75 million Leigh Sports Village project earmarked for Pennington.

Objectors have backed Leigh environmentalist Frank Hampson's calls for a review of the scheme because he believes the Marshall Street site is not suitable.

But Leigh Sports Village supporters view the project as a lifeline for the town and future generations based on land between Marshall Street and the Atherleigh Way bypass.

The development would include a 10,000 all-seater rugby league and soccer stadium, a 400m synthetic athletic track for Leigh Harriers and a new Sixth Form College plus office, leisure and retail facilities. Leigh Sports Partnership chairman Trevor Barton and MP Andy Burnham were in the High Court London for the hearing.

Minutes after Judge Richards retired Mr Barton told the Journal:"I'm disappointed that we will have to wait until the end of next month but Lord Richards is a very senior law lord and this is an important decision. The planning and legal teams from both Wigan Council and the developers were very well prepared."

And on Tuesday afternoon MP Mr Burnham said: "It does mean more delay but we know that it is going to be properly dealt with. I am a little bit disappointed because of the delay, I was hoping for a decision today. But I remain optimistic and I'm confident we have done everything correctly."

The scheme involves the replacement of Wigan and Leigh College; a 10,000 capacity stadium for Leigh Centurions and Leigh RMI; state-of-the-art athletics facilities; pitches and clubhouse for Leigh East ARL; housing; offices; leisure facilities and retail outlets on the Marshall Street site.

Other parts of the project would see retail development built on the Leigh East ground in Grasmere Street; housing on the Leigh Harriers site on Holden Road and additional soccer and rugby pitches close to Howe Bridge Sports Centre.

The developers say the project will provide over 2,000 full time and part-time jobs once completed.