COUNCIL leaders have defended their dealings with Grosvenor Estate Holdings following the formation of a pressure group opposing the £300 million deal.

The Radical Preston Alliance has blasted "secret talks" between the council and Grosvenor and the group wants all aspects of the deal to be made public.

Leader of the group Max Neill says it wants to ensure the less well-off people are considered.

He added: "There have been 18 months of secret talks between the council and Grosvenor and all of the people involved in the consultation process are invited, selected even, rather then elected.

"I asked Peter Rankin if the council would be carrying out an impact study on the town, but he told me the council would go with Grosvenor's figures. But if I want to buy a car, I look under the bonnet, rather than accept the word of the man selling the car." Max believes the Duke of Westminster and his colleagues have ulterior motives for the development. He added: "The deal has been passed off as a charity donation but looks more like a takeover bid."

Council leader Peter Rankin said: "Officers and elected members of the Town Centre Working Party spent last Monday in Basingstoke discussing the £300 million partnership that exists there with Grosvenor Estates.

"We learned a great deal from our colleagues there who are a few years ahead of us in the redevelopment of their town centre.

Council leader Peter Rankin said: "Preston businesses, including the Chamber of Trade, seem positive about the development.

"Obviously Grosvenor want to make money out of this project - otherwise they wouldn't be doing it. But the council must ensure it gets what it wants. We will report on any progress regularly."

Mr Rankin said the group's leader: "Max is very anti- business and anti-council. The three main political groups on the council are united on this project and represent a lot more people than he does."

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