LEYLANDERS are finally going to get the chance to air their views on the mammoth town centre redevelopment.

Dozens of residents have expressed concern over the Towngate development to South Ribble Borough Council and MP David Borrow.

The scheme involves the demolition of the old Food Giant store and the creation of a Tesco supermarket.

The market will also move from its current site to make way for the Tesco store, while the wasteland next to the market has been earmarked for a massive leisure complex.

Despite the council's optimism about the plans, many neighbouring residents feel it will lead to increased traffic, loss of amenities and loss of privacy.

Council bosses hope the meeting, which be held a couple of days before South Ribble Borough Council's next development services committee meeting on September 22, will provide them with an ideal opportunity to explain the benefits of the project. A residents' action group has already been formed.

Council leader Gina Lewis said: "There is a lot of scepticism about these plans.

"This meeting will give anyone with concerns the chance to comment on any potential problems they envisage and study the final draft plans.

"A couple of alterations will need to be made to the roads before the plans are ready, but they should be complete by September.

"The meeting will be for the residents who will find the project on their doorstep."

She added: "We have to make sure these plans are spot on because it is important to get it right.

"We have achieved a lot in the past 12 months and hope to carry on that way."

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