'Cute little piece on the seafront'

Blackpool and The Fylde Nautical College's training station on Outer Promenade was once described as "a cute little piece on the seafront" by architectural writer Nikolaus Pevsner.

It has been called "architecturally timeless" by head of programmes at English Heritage, Dr Martin Cherry.

John Matthews, head of offshore training at the nautical college said: "It's a building that means a lot to us and is in use most days of the week.

"I first went there as a student in 1967 when it was fairly new. Half of it is a classroom and the other half has radars and various navigation aids."

The final decision on which structures are listed rests with Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for culture, media and sport.

The radar station is one of eight post-war communications buildings across the country being considered including London's Post Office Tower and Dungeness Lighthouse, Kent.

If the radar station is chosen it will join an extensive roll of local listed buildings, including the Mount Pavilion, the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood Museum and the Esplanade and Pharos Place lighthouses.

The radar building was designed by Roger Booth of Lancashire County Council's architects department and built in 1961-2 and is still used as a training centre for coastal navigation and radar.

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said it was a decision which should be carefully considered.

"Come the time the nautical college no longer needs the building if it is listed they can't simply dismantle it and it will be their responsibility to protect it," she said.

"Fleetwood has a fascinating heritage trail now and this could certainly add to that. Many of Fleetwood's buildings date back to the 19th Century. I can well understand why English Heritage are reminding us that there are more modern buildings that should also be seen as being interesting."

The public can express their views by writing to Communications Listings, English Heritage at 23 Savile Row, London W1S 2ET.