A COUNTRY pub is in the midst of a dispute with parish councillors over its major refurbishment.

Bass wants to put up three illuminated signs on the car park of the Sparrow Hawk Inn, Fence, which is currently undergoing major work aimed at recapturing its historic former glory.

But parish councillors argue that the illuminated signs, which will be lit with floodlights and fluorescent tubes, do not match the inn's historical character.

Now Pendle councillors look set to come to a compromise.

Bass applied to Pendle Council for permission to replace three signs attached to the front of the building and put up another three free-standing signs on the car park.

The two smaller signs would be floodlit and the larger 15ft high pole sign would be lit with fluorescent tubes. But when parish councillors were put in the picture they objected and said there were too many signs in the plan.

They said the signs were more like town centre signs aimed at attracting passing trade and were not in keeping with the countryside.

Pendle Council's Barrowford and Western Parishes area committee meets to discuss the matter tomorrow.

Planners recommend refusing the three illuminated car park signs and allowing the others.

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