PLANNING chiefs yesterday turned down one of Bolton's multi-screen cinema plans ... but gave the go ahead for another. They refused Leicester-based Helical Retail Ltd permission for leisure and shopping uses on the Bolton Brady site at Kay Street, Bolton. But they have now approved a leisure development at the Weston Engineering site at Summerfield Road - even though they turned it down earlier this year.

They agreed that the scheme can now go ahead, as long as the engineering firm signs an agreement to stay in Bolton.

The application from Vine Cross Ltd is for leisure use which could include a cinema, although a bingo hall has been suggested as the most likely use.

The Bolton Brady scheme was turned down after councillors visited the site.

Planning permission was given already in 1994 for retail development on part of the site.

But Bolton Council leader Cllr Bob Howarth, said at a planning meeting yesterday: "This is one step too far."

Councillors refused the application because it was a loss of industrial land and because of the effect a major leisure complex would have on residents who live nearby.

There are also three other multi-screen cinema schemes in the pipeline.

Developments at the Bolton Wanderers sports village at Horwich and at a complex in the Tonge Valley have already been approved.

Another at Bolton Greyhound stadium has been approved by Bolton councillors, but has now been called in by the Environment Secretary and there is expected to be a public inquiry.

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