DECISIONS on four retail schemes which will shape the future of shopping in Rawtenstall in the next Millennium have been deferred until next week.

Councillors in Rossendale ruled that a meeting of the full engineering and planning committee on Monday must make the final decision.

The four plans are for a Tesco superstore and non-food units at Newhallhey, an extension to Asda, a shopping arcade on Burnley Road and an extension to the Valley Centre. Planners have recommended refusal of the Tesco plan and approval of the other three.

The fight between Hurstwood, developers of the proposed Tesco site, and the Chamber of Commerce, which is opposing the retail park on the fringe of the town centre, looks like going to the wire.

Hurstwood are this weekend urging Valley shoppers who want the Tesco plan to go-ahead to lobby their local councillors before Monday's meeting.

The company claims that refusal of the scheme would take away shopping choice from consumers and rob the Valley of a possible 500 new jobs.

The Chamber of Commerce believes the retail park would lead to shop closures in Rawtenstall and loss of jobs because it would split the centre in two.

Representatives of Tesco and Hurstwood and a large delegation of Chamber members are expected to attend the meeting at Rawtenstall Town Hall.

If the decision goes against Hurstwood, the Valley-based firm is expected to lodge an appeal with the environment department.

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