AN historic water tank in a former mill is to be ripped out by developers despite planning permission clauses designed to save it.

The tank and chimney at Hollin Hall Mill, Trawden, were set to be saved under conditions placed on Dunham Developments when the company was first given permission to turn it into apartments and build houses around it in February 2005.

But the builders demolished the chimney a year ago after noticing that the wording of the condition did not technically mean it had to be kept, and at this month's meeting of Pendle Council's Colne and District Committee, an application to dispense with the condition altogether, allowing the tank to be ditched, was approved.

Councillor Alan Davies said: "The debate we had at the time about the wisdom or otherwise of maintaining the chimney and the water tank has come to nothing."