A RESCUE plan is being drawn up for a "dangerous" chimney that has led to a 60-metre exclusion zone being created in Ramsbottom

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have issued a prohibition notice for the former Mondi paper mill site, off Bridge Street, amid fears that the 30-metre high mill chimney, dating back to the 19th century, may topple.

The unsafe structure is just yards from the East Lancashire Railway heritage line, and near to the grounds of Ramsbottom's football and cricket teams, where part of the access road to the sports club has been deemed out of bounds by the HSE.

But Cllr Ian Bevan is hopeful that a planning application will soon be made by the site’s owners to tackle the issue.

He said: “The people who own the site have carried out an assessment of the chimney and it appears that it is the top 15 feet that is unsafe, so they have had to put up the cordon.

“It has been difficult, especially for the cricket club, as the exclusion zone technically covers the access road. But I understand that a planning application is set to be submitted for the repair work soon.”

Several suggestions have been made over what will happen to the sprawling paper mill site, which closed in December 2009 with the loss of 90 jobs.

The Holcombe Mill site has been a feature of the landscape since 1857.

When Sainsbury’s announced it had taken up an option on the site, traders and residents expressed unease, with the town already home to Morrisons, Tesco and Aldi stores.

And after it was confirmed that Sainsbury’s had officially withdrawn their interest in May 2013, there was speculation that the discount chain Netto may be considering a move into the area.

Netto said it planned to open 10 new stores in the North of England this year, but would not confirm where.

The site is thought to be owned by the Isle of Man based REOC3 Ltd, which was unavailable for comment.

A HSE spokesman said: "We have recently been in contact with the company to ensure that the notice is being complied with after receiving a complaint about the site."