LEIGH'S millennium dream scheme would mean Xana-doom for residents on a waterside development.

Project supporter Steve Wheeler (pictured) reckons the Xanadu leisure centre plan is the shot-in-the-arm the region needs.

But he and others living on a town centre, canal-side estate, feel it will be a smack in the eye for anyone with a home in the shadow of the snow dome.

Steve, who lives with his wife and eight-months-old baby at Waterview Park, is now conducting a survey with a view to making a formal objection to the Council-promoted Xanadu scheme.

By the Year 2000 project leaders envisage and estimate five million people a year (around 14,000 a day) will pour into the leisure complex which would become as much a soaring national landmark as Blackpool Tower.

But although the £150m, 250 foot high Xanadu complex would bring 2,500 new jobs to the area and spin-off benefits, not everyone is thrilled at the prospect.

Steve explained why he was sounding-out neighbours for support:"I am not against the Xanadu Centre totally, I think it will be a great asset to Leigh. However, I am concerned that I will lose some quality of life as well as losing financially.

"The car park for the centre is planned for the land right next to some of Waterview Park. I believe this will not only reduce our quality of life, but should we decide to try to sell-up and leave, we may find this whole project has adversely affected our house prices.

"Should enough residents agree with me I will offer a formal objection to this scheme."

He said he was shocked to learn Xanadu would be sited on the Marshall Street college and playing field site and the BARLA rugby ground.

"I understood it was to be on the other side where the effect on residents would be minimised. If I wanted Blackpool Tower on my doorstep I'd move to Blackpool.

"We won't suffer as badly as some people in other roads where the only view will be of the "Taj Mahal".

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