DEVELOPERS planning a third multi-screen cinema in Bolton are refusing to give up the fight.

London-based Raven Group is pressing ahead with its efforts to build a massive leisure scheme on the site of the greyhound stadium in Manchester Road.

This is in spite of Warner Brothers' decision to open a 12-screen cinema in the Bolton Wanderers sports village at Horwich and Virgin boss Richard Branson's commitment to a 15-screen multiplex at the Watersmeeting family leisure park in the Tonge Valley, Bolton.

Raven's previous application for the dog track site was approved by Bolton Council, but was later called in by Environment Secretary John Gummer for examination of the retail element in the scheme.

A public inquiry has been fixed for May or June next year, but Raven has now submitted a fresh application to Bolton Council which does not include shopping provision.

The application, which could go before planning councillors on December 5, seeks permission for various leisure facilities including a 12-screen cinema, a 2,000-seat bingo hall, night club, pub and restaurants. Bolton Council has been told that Rank is the company mentioned in connection with the cinema and the bingo hall.

There would be parking for 997 cars on the 10-acre site, which has been extended by two acres from the original application.

It includes the current Lex Motors showroom and workshop, which would be re-located within the development.

Management at Bolton Greyhound Stadium, who expect to lose their stock car permission when it comes up for renewal in November, have said previously that the business is not making enough money.

They say greyhound racing, which started there in 1927, is likely to finish on January 1.

Mr Doug White, Land Director at Raven, said today that the new, all-leisure scheme would probably cost about £13 million.

"We are not worried about other schemes in Bolton - they are more worried about ours," Mr White said.

He added that they had identified two sites in Bolton for an alternative multi-purpose stadium which would include greyhound racing, stock cars and speedway.

The position on this could be "accelerated" once planning permission was received for the Manchester Road project.

"If we get consent our scheme will be built," Mr White declared.

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