CAMPAIGNERS who are fighting to save an historic building from demolition, to make way for a car park, have called on planners to find other uses for the building.

Bolton and District Civic Trust made the call yesterday — and received support for their campaign from the Save Britain’s Heritage group (SBH).

Marcus Binney, president of SBH, travelled from London to Bolton yesterday, to see the former Bolton Community College buildings in Clarence Street.

Bolton Council had previously praised the building as a landmark worth preserving — but more recently it decided to start tearing it down.

However, campaigners have succeeded in temporarily halting the demolition by securing a High Court injunction.

Yesterday, they warned the council that they were prepared for a costly legal fight to save it.

Mr Binney said: “Legal action is a very big step — but it is one we feel has very strong grounds for succeeding.

“We are seeking a judicial review but are hoping the council will agree to stop the plans and talk to people like us.

“Buildings like this are extremely well built and make ideal conversions to apartments. It is a tragic waste that a building of such character is being torn down for a car park.”

The council wants to replace the two old school buildings that were home to the college with a 103-space temporary pay-and-display car park.

Under long-term plans for Bolton, small car parks will be phased out and replaced with up to six large multi-storey car parks on the edge of the town centre.

Bolton Council hopes that less traffic, along with new developments of offices, apartments, bars and restaurants will encourage people to start living back in town.

However, Mr Binney said demolishing Clarence Street would have the opposite effect.

He said: “This whole area has been ripped apart. It’s nothing but car parks, gated areas and wasteland. We’ll never get people living in towns again this way.

“You have got the elements here to heal the wounds but instead, the council is inflicting more on Bolton.”

SBH has applied for a judicial review of the council’s decision, which was taken by officers using delegated powers rather than elected councillors.

Brian Tetlow, chairman of the civic trust, described the council’s behaviour as “extraordinary” and said the vast majority of local people were against demolition.

A council spokesman said: “We would be happy to make ourselves available to discuss the Clarence Street building.”

nick.lakeman@theboltonnews.co.uk