Court could be built on site of Water Place

The site, formerly the home of a swimming pool complex but currently a mound of rubble, has emerged as a late contender.

Town Hall chiefs are studying three options for the multi-million pound building and the former swimming complex has recently been added to the list of possibilities.

The other options include constructing a court in Cheadle Square or renovating the current magistrates' building.

But indications appear to suggest the courts will have to vacate their existing base in the Le Mans Crescent building, leaving just two choices.

The fact that there are options at all is a triumph for the Bolton Evening News which campaigned successfully to keep a magistrates' court in Bolton following a plan to close them and move the cases to Bury Magistrates' Court. Until recently Cheadle Square has been the focus of attention. But the fact the Water Place site has recently emerged as an alternative suggests a rethink by the council in recent months.

Creating the court on the former swimming pool site would allow the local authority to set up a cultural quarter around Le Mans Crescent, building on the success of the museum and art gallery. The other option of building a new courts complex in Cheadle Square, just behind the Crescent, could put those plans in jeopardy.

A decision will be made by the government. Work would start in 2005 and be completed by the end of 2006.

Court bosses say the construction of a new courthouse is necessary because none of the eight magisrates' courts in Bolton are up to acceptable national standards.

It remains unknown what will happen to the existing Le Mans Crescent court if a decision is made to move the courthouse elsewhere.

As a Grade Two listed building, however, it would not be demolished. The new court building would mean more cases heard in Bolton in front of local magistrates. The ten courts proposed for Bolton's new building would have two that are readily adaptable for crown court use should the current Crown Court be full, on the insistence of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

A decision on the future of Salford magistrates will be made at the same time. New buildings for both Bolton and Salford are expected to cost in the region of £70 million.

A Bolton Council spokesman said private companies would be involved in any building project. He added: "We are hopeful that real progress will emerge in February and that we get the final approval from the Government in early 2004."

Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of Bolton Council, said he wanted to see Le Mans Crescent remain a Magistrates Court.

He said: "I would like to see Cheadle Square but the Water Place is on the list and it would allow the creation of a cultural quarter."

Bolton Police, which has its headquarters at Le Mans Crescent, is looking to relocate to Manchester Road, Burnden. Other plans for the Water Place include building a car park on the site.

Neil Milligan, director of the Greater Manchester Magistrates Court Committee, said he did not mind where the court was sited as long as it was a suitable town centre site.

Building a court next to the new police station in Burnden - another proposal raised in the past - would pose problems, he added.