A £200,000 building plan could save the weddings of hundreds of brides-to-be and end a three-year wrangle between council planners and a hotel owner.

Jane Taylor, owner of Horncliffe Mansion, Bury Road, Rawtenstall, stumbled on to a winner when she came to the rescue of a friend whose wedding plans were hit by a change of ownership at another hotel where the prestigious reception was to be held.

Jane stepped into the breach and allowed a marquee to be put up in her hotel grounds for the weekend.

The same weekend the marquee was used for two other functions and was instantly booked by dozens of engaged couples who also wanted a reception in a marquee.

That was three years ago and Mrs Taylor says since then the marquee has been in constant use.

But the cream-coloured tent was not a hit with Rossendale planners who deemed it obtrusive and unsuitable for a listed building backing on to green belt.

Mrs Taylor argued her case with the council after hundreds of receptions were booked for the marquee which can hold 200 guests for dinner. Local people and hotel guests signed a 600-signature petition.

She said: "Its success was phenomenal. As well as holding receptions in the marquee we've held 200 wedding ceremonies here at the hotel since we were given a wedding licence. We believe we have held more wedding ceremonies than any other hotel in Lancashire."

Mrs Taylor has reluctantly accepted defeat and is planning to build a £200,000 ballroom, in stone to match the grade II listed building but it will be draped inside to give the same intimate atmosphere as the marquee.

In the meantime, councillors are being asked to give the marquee a 12-month extension to bridge the gap while the new ballroom is built.

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