AN AREA of Accrington could be dominated by a man-made hill topped with a statue.

The Spiral Mound proposal is the most ambitious of a range of ideas put forward to brighten up the west of the town once the Elevate regeneration work on homes in complete.

It would be located off Blackburn Road near Star Street where the land is unsuitable for construction because of an underground culvert.

The mound would feature a spiral path and the idea of a “Hill of Flowers” has been raised by planners if the site was planted with wildflowers.

Regeneration chiefs are also considering covering whole areas of house clearance with wild flowers in a bid to brighten up neighbourhoods while work is ongoing.

‘Welcome to West Accrington – a handbook of ideas’ was unveiled at Accrington’s Acorn Health Centre by Hyndburn Council Leader Peter Britcliffe.

The book identifies five key topics that can enhance the regeneration areas like West Accrington, from temporary use of land after clearance and design work on shop frontages, to new public spaces and trails.

These topics are translated into 26 creative ideas, large and small, simple and ambitious, ranging from imaginative street lighting to ‘designer’ street furniture, including decorative benches drawing inspiration from the town’s architectural heritage.

The ideas have been praised by Joan Pilkington, the chair of the local residents association.

She said: “For decades the people of west Accrington have suffered and seen our area reduced to a shadow of its former glory. We now have a variety of ideas and ways to help accomplish the rejuvenation of the area.

“Some of them will be more easily accomplished than others but I believe the very fact that the handbook has been produced will get people thinking and help create a new and better west Accrington.”

Commissioned by Hyndburn Council, the handbook was funded by Elevate and put together by Mid Pennine Arts and Vista Projects.

Residents, artists and key officers from the strategic agencies working in the area were all consulted for the publication. It also draws on an extensive programme of creative sessions held in local schools with children, their families and teachers.

Coun Britcliffe said: “The ideas presented here provide positive and exciting ways to help West Accrington regain the pride in itself and the sense of place that it once had.”