The Mills Corporation has shrugged off legal challenges to its proposed 1 million sq ft (92,900 sq m) retail and leisure development at Ravenscraig, the former steelworks east of Glasgow.

British Land and Standard Life, owners of shopping centres at nearby Hamilton and East Kilbride, have challenged both the designation of Ravenscraig as a new town and the consent granted to Mills' retail and indoor ski slope-anchored project.

However, Burgin Dossett, senior development director of the US developer's international arm, Mills Global, said: 'We're very bullish on it.'

A development agreement is in place between Mills and the Ravenscraig Partnership, comprising house builder Wilson Bowden, Corus and Scottish Enterprise. 'We would probably come to Scotland with something similar to Xanadu,' said Dossett.

Mills' first European scheme, Xanadu, opened in Madrid last spring. A second could be in Rome, where Mills is competing with six other shortlisted companies to develop a former market site near the Coliseum. Candidates have until July 19 to submit their proposals.

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