PROPOSALS for a singing' tree on moorland above Burnley moved a step closer after the scheme was given the green light by planners.

A planning application for the panopticons project The Singing Ringing Tree, set to grace moorland at Crown Point on the site of an old radio mast, went before councillors on Thursday and a final decision will be made by planning chiefs.

Officers are expected to give it the thumbs up once they receive comments from the environmental health officer about noise levels from the sculpture.

Organisers are also trying to raise another £50,000 on top of the £50,000 pledged from the North West Development Agency so they can increase the size of the tree from 20ft.

The panopticons public art project will eventually see six pieces of public art' built in East Lancashire. So far only one design has become a reality, with work almost finished on the Blackburn project.

But designs for Burnley, Pendle, which has the Atom in Wycoller Park, and Rossendale boroughs, with the Halo at Top o Slate, have been finalised.

The Burnley design, by architects Tonkin Liu, has been honoured by becoming part of an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. A time capsule will be buried at the site and a piece of music specially composed for the launch.

The designs were altered last year because of fears it could scare wildlife after horse riders and wildlife groups criticised the original plans because of concerns that the whistling would be too high.

However architects went back to the drawing board and changed the designs which went on to win an international award in London's Urban Space by Design competition.

Recent environmental tests have proved the sound would be low and would only travel over a short distance.

Head of planning and environment at Burnley Council Susan Graham said the four metre sculpture would be fenced off. She said it would be visible in the moorland but would not be intrusive.

The planning boss added: "The development has been recognised as a stunning piece of modern architecture and it has received much interest nationally. It will provide a striking focal point and encourage more use of the countryside and the wider footpath network."

People will also be trained in dry-stone walling techniques to build a wall around the scheme. The Land project, a partner scheme to the panopticons, is preparing events such as theatre, lantern processions and exhibitions to get people involved.

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley are without designs after both areas rejected the schemes initially planned for installation.

In Hyndburn, councillors have repeatedly thrown out plans for a statue on top of the Coppice.

In the Ribble Valley, designers are heading back to the drawing board after public reaction forced them to find a new location.