BOLTON health bosses have won their battle for a derelict mill which has delayed the start of work on a major community health scheme.

The scheme on the Pikes Lane School site has been held up by the owner of the turn of the century mill, who refused to make way for the development.

But now the council, after securing a compulsory purchase order on the site, is forging ahead with its plans in conjunction with the health authority to create a one stop health and community facility.

Mr Jim Sumner, Director of Primary Care, told Wigan and Bolton Health Authority yesterday that everyone involved in the scheme was working very much against the clock. In order to fully utilise money set aside for the scheme through the Single Regeneration Budget, the scheme must be completed by March 2000.

A replacement school will be built on the mill site and the area re-developed to enhance one of the most run down areas of the borough.

Mr Sumner said: "Although there's no doubting that this is very good news indeed, we are well aware that time is running out. This entire scheme has to be completed by the end of March 2000.

"I have spoken to the chief executive of the Community Trust and he is confident we shall meet the time scale."

Mr Mike Chapman, a Non Excecutive Director of the Health Authority, said:"We are really running in to the buffers with this one. It's to be hoped there are no hitches along the way."

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