TRANSPORT secretary Stephen Byers will decide the future expansion plans of a retail park after a row between two councils.

A public inquiry will be held to decide whether a commercial development can go ahead at the Whitebirk site, Blackburn.

Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions Mr Byers has 'called in' a decision by Hyndburn Council which gave permission for a mixed use development next to the existing shopping complex.

Although Whitebirk is in Blackburn with Darwen, the land being developed is within Hyndburn, which gave it permission.The project included three motorcar showrooms, three office blocks and an exercise centre.

When permission was given for the project, Blackburn with Darwen objected. It claimed there was no proof that an exercise centre was needed in the area, and that the lack of public transport facilities meant people would have to use their cars to get to the centre.

Blackburn with Darwen Council also expressed concern that it would have a damaging effect on its town centre.

A spokesman for the DTLR said: "The Secretary of State will only take this step if planning issues of more than local importance are involved.

"He is of the opinion that this application is one he ought to decide himself because the nature of the proposed development raises issues which may conflict with national planning policies for town centres and transport." A date has yet to be set for the public inquiry.

Points for discussion will be whether the site is suitable for such a development. It will also consider if there are more central sites in Accrington suitable for the development, even if it means splitting up the project.

How people access the site will also be considered, along with whether the right transport links are in place and if the correct amount of parking space has been put into the project.

The Secretary of State has the power to overturn the planning decision or attach new conditions to it.

Hyndburn Council, and any other interested parties, will be allowed to speak at the inquiry, but they must send their submissions in advance.

A report of the development services committee of Hyndburn Council in December said that officers felt the project would not contravene any planning laws.

The project would not draw people away from town centres, and that the hydrotherapy, exercise and rehabilitation centre did not need to prove there was a demand because there were no similar facilities in the area.

Officers also refuted the argument about lack of transport facilities, claiming that provision for cyclists was being made.