A large parcel of derelict land and unused play area close to the town centre is set to be sold off to a multinational company.

The deal will see Bolton Council sell the land on the corner of Kestor Street and Bury New Road in Tonge Fold for around £740,000 in a deal that will also involve creating a new play area.

The play area will be created at a separate site in the same area, with the design and location to be set out after a consultation with people living nearby.

Bolton Council cabinet member for regulatory services and property Cllr Sue Haworth said: “This plot of land is currently unused, costs the council money in upkeep, and could potentially attract antisocial behaviour.

“The proposed sale would generate income for the council, create local jobs and deliver a new play area for the community.

The land will be sold to an international manufacturerThe land will be sold to an international manufacturer (Image: Bolton Council)

“These proposals are a great example of our Strategic Asset Management Plan in action, and I will consider them in detail at the upcoming meeting.”

The council says that selling the land to the international manufacturer could help to create new jobs in the area as well as leading to the creation of the play area.

The play area will be built out of modern equipment once a suitable location and design has been worked out.

The site set to be sold off on the corner of the two roads is mostly brownfield land with a small largely unused play area in its south-eastern corner.

Selling off the land at the corner of Kestor Street and Bury New Road comes as part of a council programme dubbed Strategic Asset Management Plan, or SAMP.

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This involves council assets like land or buildings being either sold to businesses or transferred to local community groups.

This includes land and buildings with no strategic, development or investment value and which may also be costing the council too much money to maintain.

Earlier this year in July town hall heard how the council expects to make around £2.5M from SAMP agreements.

Cllr Haworth is expected to consider the land sale at her next executive cabinet member meeting on Tuesday September 17.