Cllr Zaman has written (Letters May 7) to remind the public of Bolton that the council had visions of Cheadle Square similar to those of the Civic Trust nine years ago.

To a certain extent this is true. Those visions were contained in the Core Strategy and Supplementary Planning Document 2006 which said all the right things about the Town Hall being an ‘untouchable’ priceless asset set in a marvellous Conservation Area setting which included the open space of Cheadle Square.

It also waxed lyrical about the enhancement of the Cultural Quarter and Innovation Zone behind Le Mans Crescent on the soon-to-be vacated bus station site whilst maintaining the vital open axis through from the arches to Moor Lane. Compare that to the present council proposals for the town hall and Cheadle Square and you will see why the Civic Trust and so many Bolton residents are ‘up in arms.’

All this comes across as duplicity from an administration that we don’t feel able to trust to look after our heritage. Their approach appears to be Decide -Present - Defend.

Having belatedly recognised the problem they have created by not consulting the people of Bolton on the future of their ‘prized assets’, the council is suddenly offering to talk to the Civic Trust. This we are happy to do but what will be the agenda? Will it just be to try to placate us with assurances about the design of their and the University’s ‘vanity projects’? Our agenda is quite simple, as we said at the public meeting on May 5. It is to call a halt to all the schemes currently proposed for the Town Hall, Cheadle Square & Newport Street and then seriously engage in a meaningful dialogue with ourselves and the people of Bolton about what they (not the leader of the council, Vice Chancellor or outside consultants and developers) want to see happen in our town centre. It is not too late for the council to rebuild its reputation with its council tax-paying public and engage properly with people out there willing to help to restore the fortunes of our town. But it has to be genuinely receptive, be prepared to listen and adjust its thinking accordingly — and it has to start right now.

Mark Head, Richard Shirres and Stuart Whittle

Bolton and District Civic Trust