A PATCH of town centre wasteland could be transformed into a 140-bed student accommodation block.

Developers have earmarked 4-14 Great Moor Street — a derelict site near The Balmoral pub — as a prime location for six floors of student flats.

There would be 41 apartments which would be studios, three-bed rooms, four-bed rooms or five-bed rooms, while the ground floor is set to be used as retail space.

The plans have been submitted to Bolton Council by Realgroup UK, with consultant town planners JWPC Ltd leading the application.

Developers say that many surrounding buildings are derelict, and describe the area as a “very rundown part of the town centre”.

They added: “With new development in the area, this will positively contribute towards the attraction of the location, bringing with it people, and reason for more development. With a mixed use scheme, the retail and leisure units proposed on the ground floor will animate the streets and create use within the area.”

The Bolton News reported in February how the University of Bolton was in talks with the council over potential sites for two new student villages in the town centre.

Cllr Nick Peel, executive member, said: “The council is trying to achieve a mixed feel in the town centre.

“There is a growing student population in Bolton because of the university, but I think for people living within Bolton town centre it is going to be a good thing for the local economy.

“If you are in a town centre, the shops are all there on your doorstep. It’s great for these businesses.

“The people behind this application have made a financial commitment to something they think will generate interest.”

The £9 million Cube building in Bradshawgate, which will have 216 rooms and is marketed as delivering luxury student living, is due to welcome its first tenants next month.

The Great Moor Street application is also for private student accommodation and will be finished in traditional red brick, with Realgroup UK arguing that its contemporary design means it will complement rather than compete with buildings around it.