WATER chiefs this week attempted to 'dispel the myths' about their controversial £15m redevelopment and face-lift plans for Rivington's Lever Park.

Owner North West Water has promised that its ambitious proposals will protect and improve the park for the benefit of the public and create jobs.

But opponents fear the Lever Park Bill - due to have its second reading in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday) - will give the company too much power.

They are worried that public access could be restricted and that entrance fees might be imposed.

Chorley MP Den Dover said there was 'no way' he could support commercialisation of Lever Park, pointing out that Lord Leverhulme gave the land free of charge for public use.

The MP said he would even be cancelling a Commons select committee trip to Brussels so he can shout "object" at the start of the debate, enabling him to table a six month blocking motion on the Bill.

He says he wanted more consultation and meetings as he was opposed to "massive changes."

But NWW which says it has taken part in lengthy and extensive consultation with local councils - including Chorley - more than 200 interested conservation, heritage and sports organisations, residents and others, says the Bill will not give them more power over Lever Park than they already have, nor remove any existing protection.

And they add that they will lease an extended Lever Park to a charitable trust on a minimal £1 peppercorn rent over 125 years.

This trust, they say, will maintain, protect and enhance the landscape and buildings for the people.

An endowment agreement between the two will safeguard it against any financial failure or change of ownership of the company, they insist.

NWW plan to:

Restore the most significant features of the 40 acre Grade II listed terraced gardens - including the summerhouses, Japanese lake and teahouses, Italian lake and waterfalls, ravine bridges and grottos and improve the gardens.

Improve facilities for water sports, cycling, riding and walking and access for people with disabilities.

Introduce a park-and-ride scheme to solve traffic problems.

Create a new visitor centre called The Blue Planet on derelict land at Rivington water treatment works. It will tell the world-wide story of water and demonstrate in a fun and educational way the importance of conserving and managing water.

Make no charge for visitors to the terraced gardens of Lever Park. But impose an entrance fee on the Blue Planet centre, with surplus revenue ploughed back into the park and gardens.

The whole scheme will cost £15m - NWW will put up half and hope to get the rest of the cash in a grant from the National Lottery.

NWW said they were "disappointed" that Mr Dover was proposing to block the Bill yesterday.

A spokesperson added though: "We can still go ahead with work for the Blue Planet, work for the terraced gardens and still carry out plans for Lever Park."

She said the company simply wanted the Act to protect the extended area and to set up the charitable trust.

"We are disappointed that he has taken the stance he has. We have offered to meet him but he hasn't met us yet," she said, adding that the move would not affect the company's lottery cash bid.

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