THE remains of an historic mill look set to escape demolition for the second time even though its owners say the building is unsafe.

Rhyddings Mill is one of Oswaldtwistle's best-known landmarks and was designated a Grade 2 listed building in 1989.

Three years later the engine building was devastated by a fire that needed more than 100 firefighters to control it.

Now owners Essex-based property company Strathmore Ltd want to demolish what is left of the mill, part of the Rhyddings Conservation Area, saying it is dangerous.

Objectors say the building should be retained because of its architectural value.

Since the fire the building has fallen into further disrepair and the roof and first and second floors have collapsed.

The company submitted a structural survey to support its application, and said it would cost £58,000 to make the Rhyddings Street building safe.

That figure would rise to £102,000 to install new internal flooring, roof and windows, and £132,000 to restore it for basic use, it said.

But planners at Hyndburn Council are not convinced.

A report to be presented to members of the council's development services committee today recommends refusal.

It says: "The survey shows no evidence of significant or recent structural movement and although there is some cracking near a collapsed timber, the walls are reasonably plumb. The report confirms it is not in a dangerous state and this has been verified by the council's building control manager."

The report said Strathmore had not said how it intended to use the site, and provided no evidence they had tried to sell the mill, built in 1856, on the open market.

English Heritage has objected to the plans, citing the engine house as a "striking and significant" part of the mill even in its current state.

An application to demolish what was left of the mill was approved in 1999.

Albert Wilkinson, honorary chairman of Hyndburn Local History Society, said: "It would be a sad loss. It still has significant place in Hyndburn and Oswaldtwistle. While the site is almost gone there are still some significant structures remaining that I feel should be incorporated into any new designs. I would be opposed to them taking everything down."

Peter Ashton, of Strathmore, said: "It is only a small section, which is the remaining fire damaged area, about one per cent, that I have asked to demolish because it is unsafe.

"It is uneconomic to make it safe. We had hoped to save it and are not pulling it down for the sake of it."