BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) A new town center mall in Vermont's largest city will not be delayed after residents sought to halt construction through a Vermont Environmental Court ruling.

Judge Thomas Walsh said that construction on the Burlington Town Center can move forward, but also added that moving forward with construction while an appeal is pending carries risk.

The Burlington Free Press reports Walsh said if the court ultimately decides the project doesn't comply with zoning regulations in an appeal, developers won't be allowed to continue and will likely have to remove any in-progress construction.

A Burlington Town Center official said they are pleased with the decision denying a stay. The lawyer for residents who oppose the project said he is pleased with the judge's words of caution to developers.

For more information, visit burlingtonfreepress.com.