Millionaire may have to demolish '˜blot on landscape' lighthouse

The mini-lighthouse is at risk because it went up without planning permission.

Mrs Lofthouse, who made her fortune from Fleetwood throat lozenge giant Fisherman’s Friend, built a scaled-down version of the town’s lighthouse on unused farmland close to her home in Links Gate.

But with one neighbour calling the tall structure a ‘blot on the landscape’, Mrs Lofthouse could be ordered to pull it down if she isn’t granted retrospective planning permission by Wyre Council.

Bob Boal, a well known Fleetwood resident who has been involved in several organisations in the town, echoed many when he said: “Doreen Lofthouse is Fleetwood’s biggest benefactor.

“She donated a huge amount of cash to revamp the Mount Pavilion, which Wyre Council is heavily involved in.

“She has given money to Fleetwood Hospital, the Lifeboat, funded the Eros statue and lovely pavings on the promenade. She provides work at the Fisherman’s Friend factory for Fleetwood people.

“I really would like to think the council would not demolish this structure, which isn’t exactly encroaching on the neighbours.”

And Paul Finnigan was one of dozens of people of Facebook with similar sentiments, saying: “Good luck to Doreen, she has done loads of good for Fleetwood.”

Wyre Council took action after Colin Charnock, a resident in nearby Balfour Close, objected to the 30ft structure, which is made from steel and oak and features balustrades and decorative clock faces.

In planning documents, he said: “It has spoilt the outlook from our house of natural open fields and trees.

“The lighthouse looks completely out of character and is a blot on the landscape.”

Work began on the lighthouse last August and was finished in early November, according to paperwork filed with the council by Mrs Lofthouse last month. Its dome can now be clearly seen reaching into the sky from nearby roads, while its base measures 12 square metres.

The 44ft Lower Lighthouse, was designed in 1839 and operational a year later. Standing at 44ft tall, it was Grade II listed in 1950.

A spokesman for Wyre Council said: “The lighthouse structure constitutes development which requires planning permission, but it was erected without such permission and is therefore unauthorised.

“At this stage no decision or judgment on the acceptability of the development has been made.

“If planning permission is not granted, enforcement action to require its removal would follow unless it is taken down voluntarily.”

Mrs Lofthouse could not be reached for a comment.