STUART Whittle in his letter in the Bolton News regarding the £40m Academic Village states that he has many years of urban design and planning experience and yet he does not seem able to tell the difference between artist and architect.

The sketches reproduced in the Bolton News were provided to help readers visualise how the development might look and the status of the illustrations is clear in the Bolton News article. No one is suggesting that the final design will be anything other than sensitive to the environment within which it sits. In fact one of the points made by the Vice Chancellor of the University at the media briefing was the importance of the final design in terms of the historic setting so he can be assured on that point.

If Mr Whittle reads the Bolton News article carefully and correctly it clearly states that the next stage is to undertake more detailed designs and costing work which will take in to account the comments I make in my opening paragraph above re historic setting etc.

I am one of those who remember the Shankland Plan and as I write this letter I have a copy of the Bolton News dated Wednesday, November 24 1964, which features the Shankland Plan and shows a clear education link to the rear of the Crescent and of course our more recent Town Centre Strategy consolidates this aspiration in terms of the University. The area around the Crescent is a “Cultural Quarter” – how can it not be viewed as such with such outstanding cultural facilities such as the Octagon Theatre, Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Albert Halls all of which are undertaking significant investment programmes.

On his final point I assume he has not been made aware of the £4.5m investment the Council has made in the refurbishment of Bolton Market such is the importance the Council places on this facility and its role in the town centre so any redevelopment of this area has to be complementary. In this respect the Academic Village scheme will bring many more people to live, shop and use the cultural and leisure facilities in the town centre. In addition the University and the employment it creates and supports and the growth sectors it specialises in make it a great attribute for our borough and this scheme builds on the University’s expansion.

When the designs are completed and all the preparation work undertaken then it will be submitted by PSP for formal consideration as part of the planning process. At that point there will be full consultation and organisations and individuals will be able to make their views known about the design proposed at that stage rather than on the artist’s illustrations shown in the Bolton News. Mr Whittle’s attempt to misinform the public should not be allowed to negate or undermine the good news that this scheme and investment means to Bolton.

Cliff Morris

Leader, Bolton Council

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