COUNCIL chiefs have reluctantly backed plans for a £1.8 million refurbishment of the Longfield Centre at Prestwich.

Despite doubts over the developers' deal councillors have been forced to approve the scheme fearing the alternative would be the demise of the centre.

It will mean more shops, new pavements, environmental improvements and an extension to the library building.

But, it will also mean ignoring public opinion by moving the library to the first floor.

The lease to the Longfield Centre belongs to Bourne End Developments who are keen to recoup money by attracting new business.

The London-based firm did not attend Monday's special meeting of the land and economic sub-committee where representatives were supposed to give a presentation.

At the meeting, councillors gave the green light to Bourne End's plans - but with a number of strict conditions which included:

The green area of land must be protected or replaced.

There must be satisfactory access to the library.

The agreement is valid only with Bourne End.

Consultation has revealed the plans put forward by the developers do not meet with the approval of the public particularly concerning the library. But the developers have proved immovable on this issue.

If council bosses reject the plans they could be left with a centre in a terminal decline.

Sources close to the council have confirmed they were faced with a "take it or leave it choice". Council leader Derek Boden said: "The implicit threat is that if we don't pick up this offer there might be a delay and that's why we are prepared to go ahead. We had to take the deal that was on the table. We had to ask, does it go any way to helping the people of Prestwich? We decided it did."

A financial settlement between the council and Bourne End has also proved to be a stumbling block in getting a sound solution.

Bosses at Bourne End have asked the council not to collect their share of the rent for an allotted time allowing the developers to recoup some of their money. Council bosses cannot reveal exactly how much this would be, but the sum is thought to be substantial. In effect it would be a loss of income that the council cannot afford.

Agreement between the two on this issue is another condition set by the council on the deal.

Bourne End Developments were unavailable for comment and the council must now wait to see if Bourne End approve their conditions.

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