THE fate of four major out-of-town shopping developments which could have a severe impact on Bolton town centre trade and jobs will be decided by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. He has ordered public inquiries into proposed schemes at Burnden Park, the former greyhound stadium off Manchester Road, a site on Old Hall Street, Farnworth, and a planned new Tesco store in Horwich. The shock news - which could extend the gipsy blight of Burnden Park for many months - came as Bolton South East Labour MP Dr Brian Iddon claimed Bolton council bosses mishandled the situation by ignoring the advice of the independent consultants they hired.
Fears are now growing that delays in the potential land swap deal between Tesco and their near neighbours, paper products firm Fort Sterling, could cost the town jobs.
Ruth Kelly, Bolton West MP, has organised an emergency meeting with Government ministers to discuss the situation.
She said: "I'm very disappointed with the decision to call in the applications and I'm concerned about jobs under threat if any delays occur.
"I will put forward support for the Horwich application at any public inquiry which takes place."
A Department of Environment spokesman confirmed the applications would be investigated in the autumn because they are all deemed to be "out-of-town" developments
It comes only months after an independent consultants' report recommended all the schemes be turned down because of their impact on Bolton town centre.
Now Dr Iddon has criticised the the way the council dealt with the planning applications after they were given the go-ahead.
He said: "I think the council has played this all wrong and I'm not surprised John Prescott has had to call the schemes in.
"This will delay any development because any objections will have to be heard at an inquiry. The delays on any scheme could be significant.
"I'm bitterly disappointed with the decision on Burnden Park. We have had these problems with gipsies and there have been petitions organised by local businesses and residents.
"I can only hope Bolton Wanderers will knock the old stadium down but the site will still be an eyesore for a considerable time."
Yesterday Cllr Jack Foster, planning and environment committee chairman, said he was disappointed by the latest decision.
He added: "I'm very surprised that the Burnden Park scheme has been called in as there is an existing use on that land for the sale of food because the Normid store was there."
Plans for a shopping development at the Bolton bus depot and the former Mitchells Engineering site, both off Trinity Street, have been passed by Government chiefs.
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