Bolton Market to be discussed by town's planning bosses

Bolton’s planning committee will consider a retrospective planning application from the council next week on elements of the redeveloped market.

Previously approved and completed work at the market included a new food hall extension, a new outdoor market on Ashburner Street and alterations to entrances.

After completion of the main project, other work was completed outside the scope of the approved planning permission.

A planning officer report, said: “The two additional elements carried out the outdoor market are an additional polycarbonate canopy running the east-west length of the outdoor market essentially making what was previously two roof structures into one roof structure, to provide shelter from the rain.

"Full height double gates with padlocks have been installed to the Moor Lane end of the outdoor market structures, clad in perforated aluminium sheets and typically 3.7 metres in height, covering the entire western elevation of the structure.”

The report from officers was critical of the appearance of the double gates.

The report said: ”Officers were concerned that the structure had a too austere and forbidding appearance, caused by the perforated aluminium sheets.

The applicant was encouraged to treat this elevation in a more appropriate manner.”

As a result of those comments new signs and logos have been developed by the council to fit on the gates.

Planners said the signs do not require planning consent but they form part of the mitigation for the proposal.

Planning officers said the additional central canopy was considered to have only a neutral and limited impact on the character and appearance of the area, while delivering on the stated objective of providing security and shelter.

Bolton’s planning committee will consider the application on Thursday, April 11.