WITH regard to the letters "Planners out of touch", and "Less and less to do in town" (Saturday, March 10).
I wish to clarify that the decision to demolish the former Odeon building on Ashburner Street rested solely with the site's owners and developers, who have applied for planning permission to redevelop the site.
The building does not lie within any of the town centre's conservation areas, and is not a listed building and, as such, the council has no control over its demolition whatsoever.
I should also point out that the building was last used as a cinema in 1983, when it was converted to Mecca Bingo Hall, who in 2004 relocated to alternative premises, and the building has been vacant since then.
The council must consider all planning applications on their individual merits, and developers and applicants are entitled to apply for apartment buildings.
This is Bolton's time and we are seeing significant investment in our town centre which the council, and Development and Regeneration Department in particular, are seeking to carefully shape through policies and design guidance like "Building Bolton" to ensure that we get the right development in the right place at the right time.
Cllr Nick Peel
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