FIVE years of waiting have ended with a top-level thumbs down for the mammoth futuristic Xanadu leisure complex zoned for Leigh.
Secretary of State Stephen Byers backed the findings of a public inquiry to block the ambitious plans to turn 70 acres of Pennington in to a huge water, snow and ice sports complex combined with cinema, eating and shopping facilities. The news has been greeted with dismay in many quarters but jubilant anti-project campaigners were celebrating. Disappointed Leigh MP Andy Burnham told the Journal : "Obviously it is a major blow to the town -- regeneration will always be to me the top priority. We have to look at what we can do to revive and regenerate Leigh." Inside, on Pages 2 & 3 we give you all sides of the story from the initial news of the project almost five years ago and present the views of a planning consultant who believes Xanadu SHOULD have been given permission -- in a different area.
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