Thornton Manor has more than its fair share of troubles.

A fire at the weekend, and at the beginning of last week we reported that three large marquees at Thornton Manor in Thornton Hough would have to be removed, leaving the company behind the Manor and surrounding estate, Thornton Holdings, saying its business would be no longer able to continue.

In response, a petition was launched bidding to save the marquees, arguing that they have been around for more than a decade and don't do any harm.

The long wrangle between Thornton Holdings and Wirral Borough Council reveals fault on both sides.

When the Council granted planning permission for the marquees, it somehow failed to add the list of conditions to the Decision Notice issued to the company.

Among these conditions were a time limit for the marquees of five years, that profits from their operation would be spent on rescuing run-down areas of the Thornton Manor estate considered to be 'at risk', and that monies spent would be accounted for.

When the five years were up, Thornton Holdings argued that the condition-free Notice held sway and that the marquees could stay there for as long as the company wished.

According to the UK Planning Inspectorate, which said the conditions did apply, and last month dismissed Thornton Holdings' appeals to save the marquees, the business "did not adhere to the obligations to keep accounts or records."

The marquees - large structures and not the sort of easily assembled and dismantled tent with which we are familiar - are sited on green belt land, complete with all its tight restrictions.

Given that building on green belt is one of the hottest local political issues right now, it is plain that their permanent presence would give the Council a headache.

On the one hand, other hospitality and events players in Wirral might relish the thought of erecting large, green belt buildings capable of hosting lucrative events: if Thornton Manor can have them, why can't we?

Similarly, it's likely that property developers would use the presence of Thornton Manor's marquees to argue that other green belt sites should be given over to more conventional building.

It's a mess. Thornton Holdings says that, "removing the marquees would mean the [company] would default on its financial obligations. This would result in job losses and the Manor and grounds being sold."

But without what appear to be its most successful revenue generators, is it likely anyone will make the numbers work and step forward to buy them?