A PLAN to house voluntary organisations in a redundant church building in the centre of Bolton has collapsed.

Negotiations between a group of organisations and the owners of the Holy Trinity Church have been broken off after a failure to agree a price for the building.

A group of 10 voluntary organisations joined together in a bid to buy the building situated near to Bolton Station from Little Hulton-based builders Seddon Silcock Limited.

Karen Minnitt, assistant chief officer of Bolton CVS said: "We have been negotiating with Seddons for more than two years to bring this vital project to fruition. Originally they offered us the opportunity to buy the leasehold of the church for £350,000.

Negative

"However, an independent valuation found that the building has a negative value because it is in such a poor condition.

"We made an offer of £125,000 which we considered generous in the circumstances. Unfortunately Seddons did not view it in the same way and negotiations have ceased."

However in a written statement Mr David Smith of Seddons said: "In May 2001 an offer, of £235,000 made on behalf of what was by then constitutued as "Bolton Trinity Centre" was accepted.

"Nothing further was heard until late July 2001 when we were advised, verbally, by the agent for Bolton Trinity Centre that their offer was withdrawn. This has never been confirmed in writing and to date they have no interest in or responsibility for the property."

The organisations involved in the project include Bolton CVS; Beacon Counselling; Bond Board; BYPASS; Home; Kashmiri Welfare Association; Patients Council; Stickman Arts; Bolton Multi-Cultural Arts; Bolton Befriending Forum.

The plan was that the church would provide a wide variety of voluntary groups in a prestigious, landmark building in a central location in the town.

Support for the scheme was pledged by scores of groups and individuals including all of the local MPs and Bolton Council. The Heritage Lottery Fund expressed a strong interest in aiding the project.

The dream is not entirely lost however. The group is now investigating alternative sites for the centre and have had talks with the Rev Phil Mason of the Bolton Methodist Mission who is working on a major redevelopment scheme for the Victoria Hall complex on Central Street, Knowsley Street and Bark Street. Voluntary groups fail to strike deal