THIS is the state-of-the-art carpark set to be built in one of Bolton’s most historic streets.

The 898-space “green” multi-storey will be made out of glass, aluminium and red brick and feature rooftop solar panels, daylight sensitive lighting and a rainwater harvesting system.

It is the second of up to six car parks that Bolton Council wants to build on the edge of the town centre to make the shopping and business areas more pedestrian-friendly.

The development is planned for Bath Street, close to St George’s Conservation Area, and members of the council’s planning committee have asked architects to redesign the front so it looks less out of place amongst the grandeur.

Bolton’s Conservative leader, Cllr John Walsh, said: “This is a very sensitive site with Grade II listed buildings and a classic Georgian terrace.

“We were told that the carpark would have more character akin to the Georgian-style area.

“I don’t think that design is as good as it could be. We need something more fitting to that part of the borough.”

Cllr Walsh said the planning application should still be given the go-ahead so as not to delay the development, but called for minor changes.

Norwich-based architects Ingleton Wood said they have already tried to make sure their design fits in with buildings like St George’s Church and St George’s Boys’ School. Senior architect, Alan Dunsmore, told the committee: “This is another piece in the strategic renaissance of Bolton.

“It is a bright, light, high-quality building in contrast to the concrete multi-storey carparks built decades ago.

“There has been a significant effort made to break up the scale and mass of it.”

The committee unanimously voted to delegate the final decision to the council’s chief planning officer for approval once the desig