Lancaster City Council has just announced its withdrawal from the Centros public inquiry.
The Lancaster Guardian reports this announcement comes just days into the proceedings, apparently following damning evidence on the heritage impact of the £150 million redevelopment scheme.
The Council was already under fire for committing some £5000 of local taxpayers money to presenting the case for the scheme, after developer Centros refused to appear at the Inquiry.
At this early stage it is believed that unless Centros withdraws the application, the inspector is still required to report to the Secretary of State.