THE major public inquiry into plans for Leigh's Xanadu sports and leisure complex will start on Tuesday, April 20, at 10am.

Based in the council chamber at Leigh Town Hall it is expected to last until Friday, May 7, excluding Mondays.

It will presided over by an inspector appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Mr Prescott decided to hold the inquiry after calling in the planning application from developers Greenbank Partnership and Moorfield Estates plc last year.

The application had been approved by Wigan Council, but Mr Prescott decided it raised issues of regional and national importance.

The planning application and other relevant documents are available for inspection at Leigh Library during normal opening hours and a copy of the evidence to be presented is now available at the library.

Members of the public can attend the inquiry and, at the inspector's discretion, will be able to give their views.

Alternatively, people can make their views known by writing to the Department of the Environment and Transport at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE by April 6.

All comments made in writing will be given to the parties involved and may be read out.

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