A FRENCH-style housing scheme could soon be set up close to Bolton town centre. Council housing chiefs want to create a "foyer" development at the former workshops for the blind building at Kensington Place, on Marsden Road.

The idea of the French foyer concept is a "one-stop shop" for young people.

As well as providing housing, there will also be training, social, leisure and advice facilities.

The Bolton project would be called Bolton Accommodation Support and Employment or BASE. Cllr Noel Spencer, chairman of Bolton's housing committee, said: "It has the potential of becoming the area's largest and most used drop-in centre for young people, many of whom are disadvantaged.

"It will also be able to offer a wide variety of advice and point people in the right direction."

The BASE project will be managed by a partnership including Bolton Council, Portico Housing Association, North British Housing Association, Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council, Bolton City Challenge and Bolton Council for Voluntary Service. The capital funding for the drop-in centre and the housing accommodation will come from the Bolton City Challenge project, Housing Association grant and the private sector.

The running costs will come from a special needs management allowance, a probation services grant and a bid has also been put in to the European Social Fund.

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