Centros refuses to confirm appearance at planning inquiry
THE future of a £150million scheme to transform Lancaster's shopping centre was thrown into doubt after developers Centros would not confirm whether it would be represented at a planning inquiry.
The firm's plans to redevelop the city centre have been "called in" by the government for a planning inquiry after being approved by Lancaster City Council in October.
"The call-in will add dramatically to the cost and will delay the scheme and it's difficult to comprehend that decision in this economic climate," a spokesman said.
"It goes against the Government's aim of getting the economy moving, and it puts a huge burden onto the developer."
The spokesman said he was unable to confirm yet whether Centros would attend the inquiry, and could not say how much it would cost the company. It's rumoured it could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Meanwhile, Centros have delayed plans for a 500million transformation of Portsmouth's Northern Quarter while they redesign the scheme in light of the current economic crisis. Last year just three shops had signed up to a project that was originally designed to produce 80 shops, restaurants and cafes.
It could now be three years before new plans are passed – but the scheme will still go ahead, Centros says.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lancaster
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
