WE appear to have wandered into a parallel universe. The latest row surrounding further development in the Middlebrook area certainly defies normal logic.

Tesco want to move their Horwich store from one side of the road to the other in a sensible-sounding land-swap with next-door neighbours Fort Sterling. But Bolton Council's planning officers are urging councillors to say "no" because they believe the move and expansion there would have an "adverse" impact on other centres, in particular Bolton town centre.

Plainly, allowing the creation of a multi-million pound retail and leisure development around Bolton's futuristic football stadium in the first place is a mere whisper in the breeze of local commerce.

Now, 50 or so workers from Fort Sterling are lobbying councillors in support of the scheme because it will lead to a huge local jobs' boost there in the process. Indeed, there are very real fears that a lack of planning permission might force Fort Sterling's owners to look elsewhere for their massive plant.

There are two facets to the argument here. Firstly, not to acknowledge that any damage to Bolton's town centre trading (and to Horwich and elsewhere) from the, admittedly superb, facilities at Middlebrook is plainly ludicrous.

And, secondly, it is grossly unfair to both Tesco and Fort Sterling not to allow the land-swap plan to help both continue to compete effectively and improve their services.

Both companies have established records as good local employers and as active participants in the community. To threaten the future of either is unfair, inconsistent and short-sighted.

Both were on site and thriving when Middlebrook was just a glint in a planner's eye. We can only hope that at the planning meeting today, commonsense prevails and they get the go-ahead they need.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.