THE hot political potato of the planned Xanadu complex is set to become a Number One by-election issue.

The Green Party, opponents of the scheme, have called an election for Thursday, November 6, to fill the vacancy left by the sudden resignation of Cllr Gary Brooks from Hope Carr Ward.

The unexpectedness of Cllr. Brooks' resignation has presented the Greens with an opportunity to further their opposition to the building of the multi-million pound snow dome. Fighting their corner for the 15,000 votes will be veteran Green campaigner Chris Maile, 49, from Wigan. His campaign slogan will be "A YES vote for the Green Party is a NO vote for Xanadu."

And he vowed: "This election is to be the first nail in the coffin for Xanadu.

"The issue of Xanadu will be on everyone's lips for the next five weeks. During that crucial election period we challenge Labour to come to a public meeting, at a time and venue of their choice, and face the electorate if they dare."

Project pros and cons will be discussed on Sunday from grass roots level and upwards when Greens and locals hold an on-site picnic from 2pm. Meet at Marshall Street college entrance.

And on Monday from 7pm more views will be heard at a public meeting in Leigh Cricket Club, Beech Walk.

Chris said: "This casual vacancy could not have come at a better time for the local community to have their say on Xanadu.

"I am sure that the people of Hope Carr will overwhelmingly reject the Labour Party at this election, who have supported and promoted the nightmare called Xanadu that is set to fall upon them." He claims the project "will churn out two to three thousands times the amount of pollution from an average home," because the Snow Maker will burn around 2,050 cubic metres of gas every hour of the day.

This, the Green Party claims, is "putting at risk the elderly and young from cancer and other related issues."

And Greens are calling for support for their proposed Green planning forum uniting planning application opponents under one banner.

Urging greenfield development opponents to contact the party Mr Maile said:"Stop this planning madness.

"This ever growing trend to build on more and more green field sites has to end. The majority of these projects destroy the fabric of the community as more and more local businesses close from the effects of the multi nationals who drain the local economy.

"It is now time to say enough is enough. If the government and the local authorities will not call a halt, then it is for the people to say no through non-violent direct action."

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