SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has been given permission to start building its new superstore in Leyland, heralding the start of the long awaited redevelopment of Southern Towngate.

But local residents have accused councillors of pandering to the firm and ignoring their concerns about the multi-million pound project, which will create hundreds of jobs in the town.

Councillors on the development services committee gave their unanimous backing to Tesco, which will begin building a new supermarket on the site of the old Co-op/Kwik Save building in September. They also gave outline planning approval to a leisure complex, to be built on wasteland adjoining Southern Towngate.

Councillors described giving the projects approval as 'a massive step forward' but the Southern Towngate Action Group (STAG) says its concerns have been ignored. A spokesman said: "The council have pandered to the developer. We are worried that the new buildings will ruin the nearby Leyland Cross conservation area. We also feel that part of the planned leisure development is too close to houses."

The group had presented an alternative step of plans for both the Tesco site and the leisure development which will include a new Burger King, a themed pub/restaurant and a refurbished leisure centre on the site of the existing sports hall complex. However, councillors decided to stick with the plans presented by the developers, which include moving Towngate 25 yards further along to help incorporate the new buildings.

The plans presented for the leisure site had been altered to ensure a patch of woodland survived.

Councillors backed both plans, and will look at more detailed plans for the leisure site in the near future. Coun Matthew Tomlinson said: "We have waited a long time for these plans and we must make sure we get Southern Towngate redeveloped. But at the same time it is important we liaise with STAG and listen to their views."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.