COUNCILLORS have agreed to meet residents to discuss controversial plans to demolish the historic fountain on the roundabout in Bacup town centre.

It comes after a protest calling on the council consider saving the feature — dating back to the 1930s — was held outside the council chambers on Tuesday. The removal of the stone structure has been proposed as part of plans to transform the crossroads into a pedestrian-friendly shared space.

A Facebook group titled Save Our Bacup Fountain has 259 members. David Lawrie, chairman of Bacup Business Association, said: “People are really concerned that they aren’t being listened to, and that if they tear up the roundabout we’ll lose part of our heritage.”

Resident Dorothy Alcock, 75, of Bankside Lane, said: “It looks like we’re going to lose a piece of our heritage so that it can be knocked down and a couple of trees put in its place.”

Bacup Coun Helen Jackson said: “I’m happy to have a public meeting, but we have to be really clear that a public meeting has to take place in a climate of respect.”