Vandals target derelict manor house
RESIDENTS and heritage groups have called for council action after a derelict mansion was covered with blue paint.
Horncliffe Mansion on Bury Road in Edenfield was targeted by vandals earlier this month who covered the front facade with the paint.
It is the latest in a series of incidents at the Victoria building with squatters planning to use it for an ‘illegal rave’ in 2017 and firefighters called to a blaze in 2016.
The building, constructed by mill owner Henry Hardman in 1869, was previously used as a hotel, wedding venue and care home but has been empty since 2009.
Rawtenstall Civic Trust have called for action to get the building restored to its former glory.
Kathy Fishwick, chair of the organisation, said they have followed the building’s progress closely over the last few years
She said: “We’ve tried to negotiate an agreement between the owners and the council on the exact procedure for the restoration, which is required to bring the building back to use. There’s a standoff.
“Everybody has got an opinion on the state of the building. It’s there for everybody to see.
“There are many things it could be. It depends on whoever owns it, their finances and what their vision is. We just want to see the building restored.”
Councillor Christine Lamb, portfolio holder for regulatory services at Rossendale council, said they are ‘working to resolve this as a top priority’.
She said: “The protection and care of this site falls to the current owners who we are communicating with.
“It has had multiple owners all of which have had various intentions for it however, despite repeated suggestions and requests to make it more secure, little has been done leading to the site continuing to be the target of vandalism.
“We are working to resolve this as a top priority to ensure no further harm or loss given to the Listed site’s already poor state of condition.
“We have also started discussions on taking the site forward for enabling development and will also be meeting with the owners to discuss this.
“If this doesn’t progress we will consider making use of enforcement powers available to us.”
What do you think should happen to the building? Write to our letters page.