Bolton council has revealed plans for bringing the abandoned technical school building on Mawdsley Street back into use.

The former Bolton Technical School, which is in the Mawdsley Street conservation area, close to Nelson Square, is currently vacant and was previously described as ‘in a state of disrepair’.

A planning application was lodged in 2022 to turn the site into 22 new flats and return the building to its ‘former glory’.

(Image: Leah Collins)

Despite this, the site currently sits unused, and photographs of the building show the exterior is in a poor state with smashed and boarded up windows.

Bolton Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: “Bolton is lucky to have many heritage buildings with impressive architecture, including the former Bolton Technical School.

“Some of these are in council ownership while others, like the former school, are owned privately.

(Image: Leah Collins)

“Bringing these buildings back into use through conversion into residential units is a key part of our ongoing regeneration masterplan for the town centre.

“Developments such as Moor Lane and Deansgate Gardens are creating a housing market in the town centre and will give investors the confidence to convert their buildings into apartments for rent or sale.

“Later this year, we will be hosting a meeting with owners of properties across the town centre, together with developers, about the possibility of conversion and the significant returns on investment available.”

(Image: Leah Collins)

The former Technical College was built in the Italianate style in 1868-70.

It was originally the Mechanics Institute and became the technical school in 1891.

Residential developments, creating new places for people to live in the town centre, are key to the council’s regeneration plans and two major sites will reach significant milestones by the end of this year.

(Image: Leah Collins)

A major phase of the Moor Lane development is also due for completion later this year while work has also begun on the site’s new apartment blocks.

The Wellsprings office building, next to the Octagon, and close to the Town Hall, is being converted into a £11.18m modern, flexible workspace for digital and creative start-ups and was completed last month.

All four projects have been supported by the government’s Towns Fund.