Mercer Hall COUNCILLORS have backed the remodelling of the forecourt at Mercer Hall in Great Harwood. Hyndburn Council Planning Committee approved the changes to the historic building despite concerns from Baxenden ward s Cllr Kath Pratt whey were premature . She said that in view of the proposals to decommission as a sports centre and swimming pool as part of a multi-million pound leisure review it would be better to defer consideration of the application, Cllr Pratt said that scaffolding and other works necessary for the re-purposing of the building could damage the new forecourt, She said: We should wait. I think this would be wasting money.