A PLANNED £10million Cinema complex plan will not go ahead because a council has refused to sell the land to developers, it was revealed today.

Planning officers at Blackburn with Darwen Council have granted permission for the cinema to be built on council-owned land at the junction of Penny Street and Salford, Blackburn. But Andy Kay, executive director for regeneration, said the council will not sell the land for a cinema to be built and instead the council prefer the site to be used for retail use.

Planning permission was granted to the Property Alliance Group by officers using delegated powers and it was planned for the cinema to be operated by Apollo Cinemas, which currently runs a four-screen venue in King William Street.

The plan was unveiled the first time last summer, just months after Manchester-based Peel Holdings secured planning permission to build a 10-screen cinema as part of a £30million leisure scheme on land near to Blackburn Railway Station.

Coun Kay said: "We have a site on Lower Audley which Peel is developing with 10 screens with other leisure facilities.

"To sell the land for another cinema would be far too much for that area.

"If anybody who wants to get planning permission they can and do not have to own the land.

"But I am 99.9 per cent certain that the applicant knew we wouldn't be prepared to sell the land before permission was given."

Coun Kay said the Peel Holdings £30million development would offer more to the area as it included other leisure developments, such as fitness and leisure facilities and a bowling alley.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had made development on the Penny Street and Salford site a priority after dilapidated buildings there began creating an eyesore in the town centre.

Initially a fashion and furnishings store had been lined up for the site but that deal collapsed.

The Property Alliance Group were not available for comment.