PLANS to build a £1.5m new bus station in Lancaster could be shelved.

Councillors from the Independent Group have requested officers to consider building satellite bus bays in the city rather than a central bus station.

The satellite bays would cost a lot less to build than an entirely refurbished station.

But leader of the Green Party Cllr Barry strongly objected to the new idea. He commented: "I've heard the Independents are saying that because Morecambe hasn't got a proper bus station there's no reason Lancaster should... but they've a real fight on their hands if the want to stop the station. It's an essential part of the plan to resolve our transport problems."

But deputy leader of the Independents Cllr Geoff Wilson said they merely wanted officers to consider the new idea to see if it could be successful. He added that a new plan could be invaluable if the council miss out on government money to build the station.

The council could miss out on an agreement from the government to borrow £213,000 because they are almost certain to miss the deadline to start work. The plans for the new station have been delayed because of a number of objections by English Heritage who have finally agreed to the plan.

Council officers have written to the government who have admitted there are special circumstances to the Lancaster case.

The council await a final verdict.

Meanwhile it looks likely that English Heritage objections to the proposed £40 leisure centre incorporating the Kingsway Baths will also be resolved.

Cllr Barry revealed: "I know there was a meeting with Chelverton (the group who wish to develop the Parliament Street site) recently and the problem with English Heritage was bottom of their list. They were much more concerned with problems of traffic and the roads."

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