Don't ruin our history (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

Don't ruin our history

7:00am Wednesday 27th February 2008

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A PROCESSION through the centre of Lancaster on Saturday will aim to showcase the unique talents of local musicians and performers.

The Carnival of Culture' procession will set off from the Alfred Street car park at 1pm and weave its way through the city centre before returning to the Mitchell's Brewery site.

But there is a darker side to the show of vibrancy' from local people - the procession is a protest against what is labelled as the city council's blinkered reliance on corporate development.

The target is to highlight local opposition to the blueprint for the re-shaping of the city's Canal Corridor North into a retail complex site by developers Centros Miller.

But other controversial schemes - such as plans to sell-off of green belt land at Lawson's bridge for an-out-of town supermarket - are also in the firing line.

More than 40 people and groups are backing the event to signal support for keeping historic' Lancaster historic.

Spokesman Judy Richards says: "We have a beautiful and vibrant city, which developers are threatening to turn into yet another ghost town.

"We want to celebrate everything unique and exciting about Lancaster. We want local shops and local culture, not just another clone town.

"The city council's plans for the site say it should be developed as a cultural quarter, which is something we agree with. We hope it will realise Lancaster does not need another shopping development and focus on providing community facilities, green spaces and housing."

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