COUNCILLORS in Westhoughton are demanding answers from Bolton Council over the long-running supermarket saga.

A list of questions has been drawn up by town council leader Cllr David Wilkinson which, he claimed, are questions local residents and traders have been asking for months.

Cllr Wilkinson said the issue was "of grave concern among members of the public".

The development of the town centre site off Cricketers Way has been dogged by delays and uncertainty for more than 15 years.

In February 1993 the contract for the scheme was awarded to Lo-Cost, but the same year the company pulled out.

Last year Bolton developers William Hargreaves Ltd were given the go-ahead.

Now councillors, weary of the setbacks, have tabled a list of 20 questions to Bolton Council.

The questions include:

Why did Bolton Council refuse the offer of a community centre by one of the developers?

Did the council accept the highest tender for the site?

Why did the council approach Hargreaves to develop the site after the failure of the bid with Lo-Cost?

Did the council, in the original tender process, set out a development time-scale?

Did Bolton Council approach other firms who had tenders after the failure of the Lo-Cost/Hargreaves bid?

How much has been paid for the site?

Will it be paid for in one instalment or a period of years? If so, how many?

Where will the money be spent? Will it be used in Westhoughton?

Will Bolton Council provide a community centre on the site?

Was any development time-scale imposed on Hargreaves?

If not, how long will Hargreaves be given before giving detailed proposals?

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