A SEA cadets group left homeless by council ‘red tape’ is facing a £30,000 black hole in its revised plans for a new base.

In June the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the Black-burn group’s battle to win planning permission for their £100,000 new headquarters at the Somme Barracks, Moss Street.

Council bosses had told the Cadets they could only grant the style of building proposed with temporary permission – meaning they could order it to be demolished after five years.

Now new plans for a building have been drawn up, and former Commanding Officer Gavin Redhead said that it should win the approval of planners with a formal app-lication now expected by the end of the month.

He said: “We have used diff-erent materials, which should mean that it is classified as a permanent structure.

“We have done everything they asked us to do.

“But now there is a shortfall of about £30,000.

“A charity just doesn’t have money like this available and we will do anything to raise it.”

Mr Redhead said he was asking Blackburn with Darwen Council for help from funds it has set aside for young people’s projects.

Planning committee chairman Coun Paul Browne said: “It’s been a mess from start to finish to be honest, but hopefully we will get it sorted now.

“As far as the funding is concerned, I would like us to help them as best we can but we will look at that when it comes up.”

Meanwhile, the Cadets group, which is currently meeting in a temporary home at a Methodist Church, in Leam-ington Road, has received a glow-ing report from an inspection despite its curr-ent difficulties.

In a report, the national captain of the Sea Cadet Corps, Jonathan Fry, wrote: “Despite your difficulties with planning app-rovals you remain a healthy unit with much heart.”

Membership numbers among both boys and girls are increasing, Mr Redhead said.

He added: “It’s frustrating that it’s dragged on this long. But the public are supporting us.

“And hopefully we can get support from the council.”