THE SCREEN wars in Lancashire have set two neighbouring councils on collision course as rival developers fight to bring a multi-plex cinema to East Lancashire.

Moves for a cinema and leisure complex in Greenbank have been blocked by Hyndburn councillors amid fears it would hit trade in Accrington town centre.

But the Kingspark leisure development on the edge of the borough is being backed by Blackburn town hall.

Blackburn Council owns the site and stands to make millions if the Kingspark plan goes ahead.

Blackburn has already granted planning permission for the scheme which straddles the border with neighbouring Hyndburn.

Hyndburn councillors were told at a development services committee that the Greenbank scheme would lead to a decline of Accrington as a shopping centre and damage its regeneration.

But negotiations will continue with Kingspark and other developers interested in opening a cinema on Moreton Street in central Accrington. The same meeting approved an application from Trinity Investments Ltd to build a multiscreen cinema and drive-through restaurant on Moreton Street, the third cinema application for the site.

Councillors are concerned people who rely on public transport, such as the young and elderly, would have difficulty getting to Greenbank and seeing the same films in Accrington town centre.

Surrendering Greenbank, allocated for industry in the Local Plan, would take away potential jobs from Hyndburn.

The developer had given no legally binding commitments that any further industry would be developed nearby to compensate for the loss, or on the provision of a cinema in Accrington town centre.

Manchester solicitor Mike Kenworthy, who has been advising the council on the application, warned councillors: "You must take your decision in a context of certainty, not in a context of promises which may not be forthcoming."

Council leader George Slynn said: "If we approved this application as it stands, we would be turning our backs on the town centre."

The council's decision may yet be over-ruled by the Secretary of State for Environment, who has called in the application for his determination.

The impact of the scheme on Accrington town centre will be decided towards the end of 1997 when a public inquiry will be held and the DoE will determine whether the cinema will be granted planning permission, despite the council's objections.

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