A 19th century bleachworks will be converted into 141 homes if the Government gives the scheme the go-ahead.

Councillors have approved the scheme to transform the Wallsuches buildings, in Horwich, into 111 dwellings and to build a further 30 homes and 15 garages on the site.

The homes will maintain the character of the old buildings, many of which date from the 18th century and are grade II listed.

But work cannot start until Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, approves building the new homes on green belt land.

Councillors have warmly supported the scheme saying it finds a new use for the site which has fallen into disrepair.

And Cllr John Hanscomb called on councillors to lobby Mr Byers and urge him to approve the application.

He said: "This is an incredibly interesting application. I hope that the committee might feel it would be a good idea to express our enthusiasm for this development.

"The marriage of saving listed buildings which would otherwise just fall into total disrepair with building some new buildings is a major asset to Bolton."

The complex is one of the most complete examples of a 19th century bleachworks in Britain and English Heritage has said the plans would be sympathetic to the buildings' character.

It was used as a bleachworks from 1775 until 1933 but the site is now only occupied by one house and an engineering works.

Planning permission was previously given in 1987 to turn it into a hotel and leisure complex but that scheme was never followed through. AMBITIOUS PLANS: The bleachworks in Horwich which could be transformed into 141 homes if the Government gives the scheme the go-head A 19th century bleachworks will be converted into 141 homes if the Government gives the scheme the go-ahead.

Councillors have approved the scheme to transform the Wallsuches buildings, in Horwich, into 111 dwellings and to build a further 30 homes and 15 garages on the site.

The homes will maintain the character of the old buildings, many of which date from the 18th century and are grade II listed.

But work cannot start until Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, approves building the new homes on green belt land.

Councillors have supported the scheme saying it finds a new use for the site which has fallen into disrepair.

And Cllr John Hanscomb called on councillors to lobby Mr Byers and urge him to approve the application.

He said: "This is an incredibly interesting application. I hope that the committee might feel it would be a good idea to express our enthusiasm for this development.

"Its marriage of saving listed buildings which would otherwise just fall into total disrepair with building some new buildings is a major asset to Bolton."

Sympathetic

The complex is one of the most complete examples of a 19th century bleachworks in Britain and English Heritage has said the plans would be sympathetic to the buildings' character.

It was used as a bleachworks from 1775 until 1933 but the site is now only occupied by one house and an engineering works.

Planning permission was previously given in 1987 to turn it into a hotel and leisure complex but that scheme was never followed through.