A DECISION to relocate a skin clinic in the grounds of the Royal Bolton Hospital has been deferred.

Laserase has applied to Bolton Council to build a new clinic opposite the ambulance station at the hospital but councillors on the planning committee postponed a decision claiming nearby residents had not yet been been consulted properly.

Residents say the clinic will be intrusive because of its car park that backs on to their houses, complete with lighting. They also say the clinic's opening hours are unsuitable because there would be evening clinics.

Currently, the clinic is based in the hospital's orthopaedic outpatient's department and the move could free up clinic space. The clinic mainly treats private patients but has started to take referrals from the NHS.