Will lights be fading on Doreen's dream?

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

Because the 30ft structure went up without planning permission, Mrs Lofthouse was forced to file paperwork with Wyre Council after it was already built.

Now, after considering one objection from Colin Charnock, a resident in nearby Balfour Close, and 13 letters of support, councillors sitting on the planning committee have been told they should refuse it when they meet today.

“There are not considered to be any mitigating factors to alleviate the impact on the openness of the green belt and it is for this reason the development is recommended for refusal,” papers said.

Mrs Lofthouse, who has pumped millions of pounds into the regeneration of Fleetwood over the years and was made an OBE for her charity and business work in 2008, has previously told a national newspaper she would tie herself to the lighthouse to stop if being flattened if refused planning permission.

Wyre Council said enforcement action would follow a decision to refuse unless the lighthouse is taken down voluntarily.