A HISTORIC barn's owner today claimed red tape was scuppering her plans to secure the future of the building.

The Great Barn, opposite Hurstwood Hall, Worsthorne, was identified by English Heritage chiefs as under threat from decay and given top priority in their "at risk" register.

The list of decaying buildings also criticised the condition of Clitheroe Castle and India Mill in Darwen.

But owner of the barn, Mary Hartley, said planning officers kept opposing her plans for the building. She said: "I would like to open the barn as an arts centre. That would preserve the structure of the building and people would be able to see the beams inside.

"Whatever plans I come up with, the planners keep objecting, and I cannot afford to keep getting new drawings made up.

"At the moment nobody can see the beams inside because the building has been classed as dangerous.

"The barn would give people a much-needed place for art and drama exhibitions. I had such a lot of support from local people for the project, but unfortunately with all the obstacles that have been put in my way, people's interest has dwindled. "I don't want to make money out of the building. If that was the case I would choose something more profitable than the arts.

"English Heritage has also made things difficult because they keep siding with the planners.

"I tried to get the building repaired, but the council told me that I would be breaking the law. I have been bending over backwards to get something done."

Various plans and sketches have been discussed since the initial planning application was made in December 1996.

Council conservation architect Darren Ratcliffe said: "The problems we had with the initial application were that there would be too many changes to the building."

Council planner Susan Davies said: "The most recent drawings we have received are more satisfactory, and we are waiting for English Heritage to approve them before we can take the next step, which is discussing the plans with the agent in detail."

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