THE former Theatre Church in Astley Bridge will be demolished to make way for nine houses.

An application to knock down the building, in Seymour Road, which was home to amateur theatre groups in Bolton for more than 40 years, was approved by Bolton Council's planning committee yesterday.

Cllr Nick Peel called the decision “easy” due to the fact the committee had “very limited powers” to refuse — but he added that it was “controversial” because of its history.

In summer 2012, the building’s owners, Bolton Methodist Circuit, rejected an offer of £300,000 raised by amateur dramatics groups to buy it.

The building was eventually sold for £500,000 to private owners who opened Crystal Theatre, Function and Wedding Halls.

Cllr Peel said: “We, as individual residents of Bolton may say it’s a real loss to our town if this building goes.

“I personally do not want to see this building go but I also know, as a member of this planning committee, there are no powers to stop it.”

He added the building was not listed and that there were no legal or planning grounds to refuse it.

In a letter to the council, the Theatres Trust, which promotes the value of theatre buildings, said a section 106 agreement should be made to provide money for a replacement venue if the council approved the application.

Rahat Anwar, addressing the committee on behalf of the applicant Mohamed Nawaz Kulasi, said: “I believe it would be an unreasonable demand on the applicant. They bought the building as a commercial purchase, with no conditions.”

Paul Cohen, Bolton Amateur Theatre Society (BATS) chairman, told the committee: “We understand that the Theatre Church is not going to come back to us.

“The whole point of the objection is, please do not let us lose theatre in Bolton. Give us some money and support to carry on.”

After the meeting Mr Anwar said: “I am pleased it has been approved. The work probably won’t start imminently because it’s going to be a complicated process.”

After the plans were approved, Mr Cohen said: “I just feel gutted. I went to the meeting to say to them, can you help us? But it fell on deaf ears.”

The council had received 12 letters and 24 emails objecting to the plans.

Two letters and an 89-name petition from residents living nearby were sent in support of the plans, with some saying the new development would ease traffic problems.