REGENERATION chiefs are set to apply for permission to improve access to a little-known historic site in Clayton-le-Woods.

Clayton Hall pond and open space, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, has remained largely hidden away for the past 20 years.

The site of the 17th century hall, behind Spring Meadow, was demolished in 1976 after it became unsafe, but its foundations remain, surrounded by ponds and part of a moat.

It is believed the first recorded buildings at the beauty spot belonged to a Yeoman farm.

The land is privately owned but if permission is granted for the work to go ahead, Chorley Borough Council will apply for a compulsory purchase order, which means they can force the present owner to sell it to them.

Roger Handscombe, head of property services, said: "Getting planning permission for the work to take place is the last piece of the jigsaw which will allow us to set the wheels of the compulsory purchase order in motion." The idea of the application is to open up the site with a series of footpaths to allow disabled people to visit.

Regeneration group English Partnerships will oversee the work, which will also include the de-silting of ponds and excavation of areas of woodland to reinstate the entire moat.

But the council has already received two objections to the project, with local residents claiming the paths are unofficial race tracks for local bike riders and that dog fouling is a problem.

Councillor for Clayton-le-Woods and Cuerden, Tom Bedford, said: "I'm in favour of the plans. It's been in the pipeline for some time now. I know one or two people have opposed it, but I believe the improvements will be to the benefit of most people."