BOLTON has won £2 million to spend on building new houses in the town and improving existing ones.

The cash, from the Housing Corporation, will go to housing association partners working under the Bolton Community homes umbrella and will mean more than 80 new homes in the borough.

New schemes which will benefit include the redevelopment of the St Catherine's Church site at Highfield with bungalows and the completion of the scheme at Holy Harbour, Rushey Fold Lane.

Negotiations are also taking place between the council and the Housing Corporation on a number other schemes likely to receive further cash allocations later this year, including the former Vets Club site which will complete the jigsaw in the redevelopment of School Hill. Cllr Martin McLaughlin, chairman of the housing renewal sub-committee, said the money was on top of the £4 million investment announced by the Housing Corporation last month.

He added: "It's great news. These new millions for housing will mean that, working with the housing associations, we can complete schemes and start new ones and also modernise and improve some existing stock.

"The further allocation underlines the recognition of Bolton's efforts to produce clear policies on housing need and the unmatched record in site delivery."

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