Fountain renovation given green light

Councillors on Rossendale Council’s Development Control Committee have approved plans to install a lighting feature on Bacup Coronation fountain.

As part of efforts to improve the town and thanks to the £2m injection through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, the Council is looking to renovate the fountain.

Now planning permission has been granted, work on the fountain will begin shortly. The work will not hamper a community group’s long term aim to see water flowing in the fountain again.

Councillor Jackie Oakes, interim chair of the THI board, which oversees the project, said:

“I am pleased the renovation has been granted planning permission. We have always said Bacup should have an attractive centrepiece and a renovated fountain fulfils that role.

The installing of a lighting feature will not stop any plans to get water flowing in the fountain again. I wish the Friends group the best of luck with the project and I was pleased to hear a recent meeting between the Council and members of the group was positive. I hope Lancashire County Council can help them in their efforts.

Bacup has benefited hugely from the THI investment. You just have to walk around the town to see the difference it has made. But it is only the start. We are putting Bacup forward for Future High Streets funding. We want everyone in Bacup as well as our MP and Northern Powerhouse minister, Jake Berry, to back our bid as the competition will be very fierce. It is much needed funding to help us continue the job of improving the town and make the centre one we can all be proud of.”