BOLTON Hospice is planning a huge refurbishment — if it gets the go-ahead from council chiefs.

Bosses hope to make the existing 14 bedrooms bigger and all ensuite and add an extra four rooms.

The development would be within the existing grounds of the hospice, but the facility falls within a conservation area, limiting the amount and type of work than can be carried out.

A building next to the hospice has been bought, which will free up space within the existing building.

Hospice chief executive, Leigh Vallance, said: “We’re very fortunate to occupy a site close to Bolton town centre and with good transport links, but it is a land-locked site, which places considerable restrictions on any future development of hospice services for local people.

“We are very excited about the prospect of further developing and expanding our services and will be working very hard over the coming months to make the most of this opportunity to improve the care and support we provide for our patients and their families, both now and in the future.”

Bosses have submitted a funding bid for the work to the Department of Health — but vowed to make the improvements regardless of whether this is successful.

Mrs Vallance said: “Improvements to our services have always been, and will continue to be, led by the requirements of our patients and funded predominantly by the local population we serve.”

If the development goes ahead, single-bed wards will be given en-suite washing facilities and rooms will be made 20-per-cent bigger.

The drug dispensing area will be made bigger, the mortuary will be moved away from patients and the fundraising office will be moved.

The existing mortuary space will become a pharmacy and cleaning area.

A dedicated multi-faith centre will also be built “in order to reflect Bolton’s spiritual needs” a report to the council said.

Hospice bosses want to build an extension at the southern end of the site to connect the IPU and the fundraising office.

It would increase the size of the hospice by almost a fifth.

No parking spaces would be added. The council is aiming to reach a decision by February 17.