REPAIRS to Darwen Tower’s dome have moved a step closer, seven months after it blew off in a gale.

Frustrations have been mounting that plans are still at the drawing board stage, as engineers wait to be told whether designs have been approved.

Now it appears that there will be no action until at least July.

The WEC Group, based in Junction Street, was chosen by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Darwen Town Council to replace the dome for free with a more resilient powder-coated stainless steel structure.

But because it is not a like-for-like repair, English Heritage had to be consulted for approval.

After delays, the organisation’s advisory board has now told Blackburn with Darwen Council it “does not wish to offer any comments”, and has left the matter with council planning bosses.

But the council now has to get the green light from the secretary of state, due to the building’s Grade II status.

A spokesman for WEC said: “Work for the dome has not been started yet, it’s still at the drawing stage.

“We are waiting to hear whether there is consent, because there’s no point starting on something that might not be allowed.”

Town Councillor Steve Potter, who is helping organise the repair, said: “People want it resolved as soon as possible, but it can take up to six weeks for the secretary of state to come back to the council, so we’re probably looking at it being put back on some time in July.”

When the work has been completed, the dome will be flown into place by a helicopter owned by WEC managing director Steve Hartley.

Public donations to the repair fund began pouring in as soon as the tower was damaged and now stands at over £1,000.

The money will be spent on renovating the stonework and inside of the tower by the newly-formed Friends of Darwen Tower.

Coun Potter, who chairs the group, said there has been a “sad lack of interest” in people joining the group and calls for more volunteers. Anyone interested is asked to call 07756257484.