PROTESTERS fighting the controversial Xanadu Snowdome complex in Leigh are considering legal action to challenge the Secretary of State's decision not to hold a public inquiry.

The Green Party and local residents yesterday held talks with the London legal charity Earth Rights as the first step in a possible legal battle against the planned virtual reality ski centre.

The charity's solicitor John Dunkley toured the site before meeting local people.

The Green Party is deeply involved in the campaign against the proposed multi-million pound Xanadu project and has put forward its own candidate, Chris Maile, for the vacant Wigan Council seat as part of a direct local protest.

Mr Maile, standing in the forthcoming Hope Carr ward by-election under the banner Green Party No to Xanadu, said: "Why are we not to have a public inquiry.

"What is Labour afraid of?

"They refuse to enter into even a public debate with the Green Party.

"It would seem to me that they are acting more like the Kremlin of Communist Russia, than a democratically elected body in an alleged democracy."

The Green Party claim written requests to the Secretary of State by local people calling for a public inquiry have been turned down in a standard letter of reply.

The party has also received no response from the minister.

Mr Maile added: "The Green Party still asks the one question 'why no public inquiry,' and still we have silence from the Labour Party.

"If the case for building Xanadu was so strong they would not fear a public inquiry."

The proposed scheme is expected to create over 2,500 jobs.

However, residents in Hope Carr and Pennington fear increased pollution and lung-related diseases once the leisure development opens and attracts an estimated 6,000 people per day.

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