THIS is the final suggested design for a panopticon to be erected on top of the Coppice.

But after weeks of controversy it has again been met with a firm "no" from Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe.

The design, revealed this week, replaces the old "landroom" concept of four earth mounds which attracted much criticism.

It is named "High Form" from the word "form", meaning a bench or long seat, combined with "high", its position above the town.

Architect Peter Beard says it has been considerably redeveloped in response to many points raised throughout the consultation process.

The new design consists of five circular earth banks arranged in concentric rings.

The "ripple" formation is covered with a mix of local grasses and heathers and the furrows have been designed to catch rainwater and promote the growth of wetland grasses and associated fauna.

Options for additional planting could include either a single semi-mature oak tree at the centre of the form or a group of young oak saplings.

Mr Beard said: "My belief is that the public input has lent the project a strength and meaning which it could never have had without it."

He stressed that the panopticon would be constructed with material already on the site. No material would be brought onto the site and no material removed,and all work would be closely supervised by an ecologist.

But Councillor Britcliffe remai-ned deeply unimpressed.

He said: "How many components of the word 'no' do these people not understand and how many parts of the words 'no no no' do they not understand?

"I have been hearing how the tide is turning but I have had people contacting me over the weekend saying there were only about 20 people at a public meeting including officers, and even out of those not everybody was in favour.

"The council has rejected the idea of a panopticon and, from the response we have had since, it would seem that there would be some possibility of having something which includes a picnic area and the paths being done up and perhaps some small token monument relating strongly to the features of the borough.

"One does not want to be rejecting the idea outright because it involves significant investment in the Coppice area, but they really have to come up with something that is suitable to that area and which will be acceptable to the people of Accrington and the surrounding districts. Until they do that it is still no, no no."

The new design will now go on show at various venues throughout the borough from 21 to 31 March and the final decision will be made by the Cabinet.