THE major public inquiry into controversial plans for the Xanadu snowdome sports and leisure complex in Leigh will start on Tuesday, April 20.

It will be held in the Council Chamber at Leigh Town Hall and will get underway at 10am. It is due to last until Friday, May 7, (excluding Mondays), and will be presided over by an Inspector appointed by Secretary of State for the Environment, John Prescott.

Mr Prescott decided to hold an Inquiry after 'calling in' the planning application from developers Greenbank Partnership and Moorfield Estates plc last year. The application had been approved by Wigan Council, but Mr Prescott decided it raised issues of regional and national importance. The planning application and other relevant documents are available for inspection at Leigh Library during its normal opening hours. A copy of the evidence to be presented to the Inquiry will be available from Tuesday at Leigh Library.

Members of the public can attend the Inquiry and, at the Inspector's discretion, will be able to give their views.

Alternatively, people can make their views known by writing to the Department of the Environment and Transport at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE, by April 6.

Any comments made in writing will be given to the parties involved and may be read out at the Inquiry.

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