Hands off!

Heritage groups and opposition Conservative councillors have reacted with outrage to plans for a refurbishment of the town hall's committee room A.

The council wants to give the room a hi-tech makeover, including new lighting, projection screens and a speaker's lectern. The council's planning committee will discuss a listed building application next Monday, though a final decision will have to be made by the Deputy Prime Minister.

But a series of objections to the scheme have been received.

Blackpool Civic Trust said: "The shortage of built heritage in Blackpool makes us feel that something as fine as the seating in this room should be saved in its present position. We most definitely object to the application."

The Victorian Society wrote: "A large proportion of the seating is original and of considerable historical significance. The demand for a room to hold 50 or more people on a regular basis has not been proven.

"What the council is proposing is hugely disruptive and does not seem to have been properly through out.

"Stripping the furnishings out is simply not justified. The council should look elsewhere for the provision of the desired facilities."

Lytham St Annes Civic Society also complained: "This high quality seating is of great importance to the integrity of the town hall as a heritage asset for Blackpool. We ask you to consider the view of those who come after us. They will not thank us for vandalising their heritage."

But in a planner's report to councillors, the council argues: "Committee room A will enjoy appropriate redecoration and the removal of some less attractive modern features. The panelling will be made good and its original panelling will be seen for the first time In over 100 years.

"A wider range of people will be able to make use of the room, so enhancing public benefit from the town hall as a centre of public life and political participation."