Janet Anderson put the interests of Preston before her own borough and constituents when she spoke out in favour of the Tithebarn development and against our demand for a public enquiry.

By referring the proposals to an independent planning inspector, even her own government now accepts our arguments about the scale of the development and the possible effect it could have on neighbouring towns.

And even Preston City Council now accepts that the scheme is a bit ambitious and that a phased approach may be more appropriate.

All the issues surrounding Tithebarn will now be looked into by an independent inspector, which is all we wanted – a chance for our concerns to be looked at thoroughly before a decision is made.

We do not want to prevent the regeneration of Preston but we have a duty to put the interests of our borough and its residents first – and we make no apology for that, Janet.

Shame you don’t do the same, and will you accept the ruling of the inspectorate?

In Preston’s letters of support for this project, they unashamedly refer to it as a regional shopping centre for all Lancashire.

If we are to take global warming seriously, we are required to bring the products to the people rather than take the people to the products.

Janet, did you know that your constituents already complain about having to travel to Blackburn to buy certain goods, never mind Preston, and they ask us to make them available in Darwen, as they used to be.

Coun Alan Cottam, Executive Member for Regeneration & Environment Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council