A HUGE expansion of Preston city centre will only have a “low” impact on trade in Blackburn, a new report has concluded.

The study was commissioned by Lancashire County Council to assess the impact of the £700million Tithebarn scheme, which Blackburn with Darwen council bosses say will hit trade and hold back the town’s own regeneration.

The document, prepared by property consultant King Sturge, had not been made public, but the Lancashire Telegraph has obtained a copy under the Freedom of Information Act.

The report’s findings are a blow to opponents of the masterplan - which also includes Blackpool council - following a bitter war of words this week.

Blackburn council bosses claim Tithebarn will take 14 per cent of the town’s trade.

The report says it is “inevitable” Tithebarn will divert trade from other towns in Lancashire, but says the reverse will also happen.

It says Blackburn’s own regeneration, notably the £66million Mall shopping centre being built on Lord Square, will help the town maintain its status.

There are no rules saying Preston’s market share should be reduced or redistributed to other towns, it adds.

It also reveals Preston is ranked 44th in a table of Britain’s town and city centres, compared to Blackburn (168) and Burnley (132).

The table, compiled each year by retail experts Javelin, and based on factors including range of shops and “fashionability”, puts Blackpool at number 50.

King Sturge’s study, completed in January, was County Hall’s response to a report prepared on behalf of the Tithebarn project.

That study, by consultants GVA Grimley, said Blackburn town centre’s total turnover would be cut by £16.9million as a result of Tithebarn - which would have a turnover of £286million - but claimed it would increase overall by £44.8million as a result of the town’s own regeneration.

GVA claimed there was “no legitimate basis” for Blackburn’s objections.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Michael Lee said: “I don’t know how they can say The Mall will compensate for Tithebarn, it’s a fraction of the size.”

The Mall did not comment.