AS developers, we feel it is our duty to clarify and put in to context, some of the statements that are being made about the latest Xanadu proposals.

The reports that there will be 'unseen' pollution from the snow machine and 2,050 cubic metres of dangerous gases being burnt and emitted from the building every hour are very misleading.

The 'snow machine' will be a series of small water spray units that only mix air and water. No gaseous or emissions of any description are associated with the snow making process.

The only discharge associated with the snow centre will be water from the heat cooling equipment and snow melting tank. This water contains only naturally occurring substances and additives used as a mandatory requirement in air conditioning systems.

The substance referred to as 'dangerous gas' is in fact natural gas as used in many homes today.

Energy conservation has a very high priority in our plans, which include a Combined Heat/Power (CHP) Plant which increases fuel efficiency to 80% from the average of around 35%. Thus reducing energy requirements from the boiler plant which produces heat to serve the complex as well as the water in the aquatics centre.

Whilst accepting that the Xanadu site lies within an area designated as a wildlife corridor in the Council's Unitary Development Plan, this in itself does not prevent development (as the existing planning permission for a 30m high aquatics centre on the site verifies). It does mean that sympathetic account must be taken of wildlife in the area.

The design of the Xanadu complex is being refined to minimise the environmental impact of the scheme and it is intended that Xanadu should benefit the corridor and the Pennington Flash County Park as a whole.

Discussions are continuing and there have, for some time, been longer term plans for an extension of the present nature reserve.

We emphasise again that the Xanadu project is currently at the concept design stage and still subject to further refinement. The final design and layout will, of course, require detailed planning approval and involve full public consultation as part of that process.

In due course, people will see that we have been able to change and adjust the project to produce a very positive response to residents' concerns.

C.J.Baybutt

Greenbank Partnerships Limited

Greenbank House

Wigan Lane

Wigan

WN1 2LA

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