A LOCAL businessman has hit back at residents who are objecting to his application to convert part of a dilapidated shopping precinct into flats.

Savas Moustacas has submitted an application to adapt a shop unit in Kearsley precinct into three self contained flats.

But some residents of nearby Tamar Close have called on Bolton Council to reject the application, saying the boarded up-precinct should be returned to retail use.

However, Mr Moustacas says the residents' calls are unrealistic and that if his application is given the go-ahead it will go some way to improving the appearance of the blighted precinct. He says the unit has been empty since 1992.

"I have spent hundreds of pounds advertising the shop for let and I have not had any serious inquiries in five years. They take one look at the precinct and run off," he said.

He says the only hope of breathing new life into the precinct is to bring the units back into use. And if retail use is not possible he believes that residential use is the next best thing.

He added: "I believe that if I make a start at improving the appearance of the precinct the owners of the other units will follow suit.

"If I don't get planning permission to do this the precinct will just get worse."

As reported in the Bolton Evening News last month, furious residents are demanding a reduction in their council tax because of the state of the precinct, which locals have dubbed "Beirut."

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