A BUNGALOW will be turned into a learning centre for Hall i'th' Wood Museum.

Bolton Council hopes the centre, which is next to the museum, will offer people a more enjoyable visiting experience.

At present, the museum is unable to provide the facilities that all visitors need.

Councillors on the planning committee gave the go-ahead to proposals to convert the bungalow and create a 16-space car park.

The Learning and Interpretation Centre will be a fully accessible building with toilets, catering facilities, a lunch room, and a classroom and activity space.

Two residents objected to the plans because car lights would shine into homes, trees would be cut down and there would be noise and disturbance during building work.

The museum, which has been open since 1902, is a grade one listed building and a rare example of a Tudor wooden framed house with a Stuart extension.

It was where Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule and is said to be one of the most historically important buildings in England.

A council spokesman said: "The aims of the centre are to improve access to Hall i'th' wood Museum and offer new and existing visitors an enhanced experience.

"The museum wants to increase opportunities for people to access our heritage by developing new and varied education and life-long learning projects."