PLANS have been unveiled to tidy up the controversial dried-up fountain outside Hyndburn Council's headquarters, Scaitcliffe House.
Council leader Peter Britcliffe and Nigel Rix, director of the authority's regeneration arm, Hyndburn FIRST, gave a presentation on the future of the eyesore fountain at a meeting of the Cabinet.
A range of proposals were put forward to clean up the site, on St James Square, Accrington, which councillors agreed looked "ugly".
Councillor Britcliffe said: "We are all aware of the concern that has been expressed about the fountain over quite a number of years.
"I do remember the original presentation we had on it; we were shown this wonderful picture of children playing in front of it and instead this is what we got.
"We thought we were genuinely bringing something into Hynd-burn that would be an asset. If you look past the fountain, it's quite a good place where people of all ages can go - a nice paved area and a skate park."
Councillors were presented with a variety of images showing how the site could look in the future.
Councillor Britcliffe added: "How can we make the fountain a better place? Water, grass, trees, exotic seating, dancing fountains or simply a place to sit without any water?
"What we do want to do is make the area outside our council offices into a better place. This has been an eyesore for too long and we want everybody's ideas for improving it."
A consultation process will now start, with Accrington Civic Society, Accrington Area Council and local residents' groups all being asked their views.
Councillor Britcliffe said the consultation process was likely to take several months and suggested that in the meantime efforts should be made to try to tidy up the area.
