I have to admit that I have been wrong and have changed my mind.

When the Panopticon project was operating between 2003-2007 I did not welcome the idea.

The project was designed to build 21st century landmarks across East Lancashire.

I thought that these structures would be an intrusion into areas which were naturally beautiful anyway.

This week I visited the Atom Project at the Wycoller car park on the road between Laneshaw Bridge and Haworth.

The global structure provides shelter from wet weather but from it there are spectacular views over the country park.

Children love to play in the interior whilst parents can soak up the view and be inspired to leave the free car park and follow the footpath down into the village.

This is also the place to look out for much more ancient landmarks.

These are large flat stones which have been set upright into the ground and used as fencing to keep in the livestock.

There has long been an unresolved argument regarding whether the slabs date to the 14th century or even earlier to Saxon times.

I don’t much care – all I know is that they have long been part of the local landscape in contrast to the Panopticon which is obviously taking time to become part of the history of the area.

On my walk down to Wycoller hamlet I found autumn migration in full swing and watched wheatears, swallows and martins preparing to fly to places as far distant as Africa.

There were also lots of lapwings and curlews plus a low-flying short-eared owl which will soon leave the high hills for coastal areas.