PLANS to bulldoze a popular nursing home in Heaton have been given the green light.

The move, to make way for two blocks of flats, will affect around 40 elderly and poorly people who live at Newlands Nursing Home.

Relatives of residents at the home have now voiced concerns about the impact on their loved ones' health caused by the upheaval of having to move.

George Bankes, of Newhall Lane moved his mother-in-law Alice Chadwick, aged 86, into the private nursing home on Overdale Drive two years ago after she suffered two strokes. He says she is happy, settled and has made good friends .

"It's going to be terribly upsetting her and all the residents to have to move. I don't know if my-mother-in-law will survive the move," said Mr Bankes.

"Some of the residents have no family or friends outside the home and the people there have become their family. It's a great tragedy, it seems money is everything and looking after these people is not a consideration at all."

The home has been open since the 70s and George and Catherine Bankes pay £1,318 a month for the best care for their mother. They fear it will be difficult to find somewhere else.

"It's extremely difficult to find nursing care," added Mr Bankes. "I just don't know where we can find in Bolton. It seems there are less and less of these places." In January 1999 the running of the home by Rochefort Healthcare (Newlands) UK was put into the hands of London-based administrative receivers Rothman Pantall and Company. They put the home on the market but said they had no acceptable offers to keep the home running.

A spokesman said: "I will be discussing the future of the nursing home with my agents and legal advisors."

"I will not be making a decision about the future of the home until early in January 2002."

The demolition of the nursing home has now been given the go-ahead, providing there are no serious objections to a submitted traffic scheme on Overdale Drive. If there are no concerns about a scheme to widen the footpath and improve visibility by November 29 then the plans are finalised. Nearby residents, including Mr Bankes, have already written eight letters of objection on the grounds of over-development, increased traffic and road safety on busy Chorley New Road, loss of trees and architectural interest.

The building at the rear of the nursing home will be demolished and two three storey blocks will be built containing 49 homes in total.

Planners have raised no objections to the scheme but stipulate conditions to ensure there is no direct vehicle access from Chorley New Road and new footways and visibility splays are provided along Overdale Drive and Chorley New Road.

There will be 64 parking spaces in two basement car parks and 10 visitor spaces on site.