A ROUND of applause greeted a decision not to sell off part of a memorial ground to a tenant of the land who wanted to build a conservatory.

The proposed sale of part of Trickett's Memorial Ground, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, to a resident of Thistlemount who has rented the garden for 16 years prompted several letters of objection.

One came from the widow of the nephew of Sir Henry Trickett.

The memorial park was paid for by workers and dedicated to the memory of the workers at Sir Henry Trickett's Gaghills' mill who lost their lives in the two World Wars.

Borough solicitor John Tradewell told the corporate policy committee: "There has been a considerable number of objections to this scheme.

"But notwithstanding the objections received, the recommendation is we dispose of the land.

"It has been a garden for at least 16 years without complaint."

Coun Janet O'Driscoll asked to address the committee to talk of her "grave doubts" about the sale.

Coun Christopher Wadsworth said: "I have canvassed far and wide about this issue and it is about 50:50.

"I know the garden has been kept in an immaculate condition and I do have sympathy for the tenant, but I have thought long and hard about the principle of whether we should be selling this land and I don't think the principle is right."

Coun Graham Pearson said: "We should not be selling land that has been given to us in that way."

Coun Pearson moved that the council refuse the sale, but Coun Margaret Talukdar moved an amendment that the sale goes ahead.

She said: "It seems we are talking about a very small portion of land.

"While I accept and understand the comments made this particular person has kept this area in a very good condition for many, many years."

Coun Talukdar's amendment was defeated and councillors voted in favour not to sell.