RESIDENTS in Great Harwood have voted by two to one in favour of a new town centre supermarket in Lancashire's first-ever referendum.

And the Conservative leader of Hyndburn Council, who has adopted a "power to the people" stance since his party took power in May, hit back at critics who slammed him for announcing the result of the vote on Armistice Day.

More than 8,000 people in the town's Netherton and Overton wards were asked whether Hyndburn Council should sell land to developers for the new store off Queen Street. Some 2,817 residents voted in favour while 1,478 opposed the move. Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "The turnout shows that residents in Great Harwood still have a lot of pride in their community.

The two-to-one majority confirms the widespread feeling of residents that they expect wider choice, higher service standards and lower prices when they are shopping in Great Harwood." After he had announced the result on the steps of Mercer Hall Baths, Coun Britcliffe hit back at critics who complained that it was not appropriate to announce the results on Armistice Day. Coun Britcliffe, who was forced to postpone the announcement from 11.30am to 1.30pm, said: "I am pleased that the people who have fought to preserve this country's democracy have been able to see democracy in action on this day." The Co-op store would be similar to the one recently built in Ramsbottom and would create around 75 new jobs. Opponents had claimed the proposed store would sound the death-knell for smaller retailers in the town.

The outcome of the ballot must be rubber-stamped by the council's policy and resources committee, who will aim to get a good price for the council land which is to be sold.

The money from the land sale will go into the council's capital fund, which pays for long-term spending in the borough. Council chiefs said it was likely some of that money would be spent on improvements to Great Harwood.

Lancashire County Council is expected to make a decision soon about the town's library and day nursery which would be demolished if the plans go ahead.

The Co-op has applied for planning permission to split the town's existing Late Shop into two separate stores, which could be sold to two high street retailers if the Queen Street plan goes ahead.

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