I wonder if any forum members have views any views on this:

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/lancashire/archive/2004/03/05/BENTOPNEWS0ZM.html

As Sheffield is a location where industrial heritage is important, I thought this might be of interest. To my mind Bolton Council is being rather petty and probably not acting in the best interests of Bolton.

I agree with the Council. From the sound of it, this is no more than a hole in the ground, not a working mine.

Anybody who saw the programme on tv about this a couple of months ago would know that this is not simply a hole in the ground.

It is a testament to our heritage built by a master of his trade. We should be proud and glad that such characters as Fred still exist.

When i think of the eyesores that manage to gain planning permission I can hardly believe that this has been knocked back.

I hope old Fred wins his case, he is larger-than life and a real fighter.

Bolton ought to be grateful that such a local and colourful character is one of theres, he brings great publicity to the town, and probably a few visitors as well, the programme on TV showed that it was a genuine attempt to create the atmosphere of a drift mine, something wich is rapidly being forgotten today.

Originally posted by Mo
Anybody who saw the programme on tv about this a couple of months ago would know that this is not simply a hole in the ground.

It is a testament to our heritage built by a master of his trade. We should be proud and glad that such characters as Fred still exist.

When i think of the eyesores that manage to gain planning permission I can hardly believe that this has been knocked back.

Here here.

I agree with much of what has been said by others. I hope Fred wins his appeal.

Fred is one of the biggest assetts that Bolton has. He has been awarded an MBE for his work in industrial heritage and disserves to be treated with respect.

It is odd that the council has overriden its own planning officers in refusing planning permission. I do not know enough about planning permission to know what standard of reason is required for refusing - whether it needs to have any basis in reality or not.

I personally would have no problem living next to Fred Dibnah with a mine shaft in his garden.