Jim Carr, chief executive of Preston Council, said plans to redevelop an area of the river in the city and neighbouring South Ribble had gone back to the drawing board.

Talks between council leader Coun Ken Hudson and his South Ribble counterpart Coun Margaret Smith will decide the fate of the project, part of the £800m Riverworks scheme.

But plans to solve the blue-green algae problem and fix aging gates at Preston Dock will press ahead.

Mr Carr said: "The riverside element has taken a step back from where we were because of the political changes here and in South Ribble.
"What we are now relying on is discussing this between the leaders to see what is acceptable to them.

He added there had been "further complications" because of Preston, South Ribble and Chorley councils putting themselves forward as "growth areas" for further housing development, to meet government targets for new homes.

Mr Carr said the outcome of the government decision would also guide the future of the riverside plans, which centre around new housing overlooking a marina created by the barrage.