TUESDAY'S go-ahead for the £150 million Xanadu project has the backing of the majority of Journal readers.

In an exclusive National Opinion Poll survey commissioned by The Journal, 56% of those questioned agreed with the mega-leisure complex planned for Pennington.

A staggering 27% had still to make up their mind on the scheme.

But only 9% said the snow dome would be an eyesore.

On the controversial traffic and pollution claims highlighted by the 'No Xanadu Campaign', only 6% said it would cause unacceptable traffic problems on surrounding roads.

The Journal/NOP survey was carried out just before Easter. The poll samples fully complied with newspaper industry criteria.

The sample, from throughout The Journal's distribution area, was asked three main questions:

Are you aware of the proposed Xanadu development?

Do you agree with the development?

How do you feel the development would affect the surrounding area?

Are you aware of the proposed Xanadu development? The massive media information, spearheaded by The Journal, has shown 81% aware of the Greenbank Partnership and Moorfield project. The remainder had not heard of Xanadu.

Do you agree with the development? The majority - 56% - did agree with the scheme while 27% had still to make up the minds. 17% did not want the project to go-ahead.

How do you feel the development would affect the surrounding area? Those questioned were given a whole range of options to answer.

The reponses were:

It would bring new people into the area on a regular basis to the benefit of local businesses - 23%.

It would NOT bring new people into the area - 3%.

Xanadu would be an exciting new development for the area - 22%.

It would be an eyesore and would not fit in with the surrounding countryside - 9%.

It would bring new jobs and prosperity to the area - 25%.

It would cause unacceptable traffic problems on the surrounding roads - 6%.

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