PLANS have been submitted for a £6.5 million office development at the new rail and bus interchange in Bolton town centre.

The planning application for the 30,000 sq ft Grade A office building from PSP — Public Sector Plc — has been handed in to the Bolton Council.

The proposed five-storey building will sit at the junction of Great Moor Street and Newport Street, if consent is given.

Work is continuing on the £48 million interchange which will replace the existing bus station in Moor Lane.

It will connect the existing bus station in Moor Lane and the train station by a skylink footbridge.

The transport interchange is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester in partnership with Bolton Council and construction is expected to be complete in 2016.

Subject to planning permission, construction of the office development could start in 2015 with completion scheduled for early 2017.

PSP says the indicative design seeks to reflect the industrial heritage of Bolton through the use of a steel frame for its structure.

Plans propose using bricks for the external cladding which complement the brickwork of St Patrick's Church in Great Moor Street.

Proposals include a roof garden and cycle store at the back of Great Moor Street for the use of office staff.

The site is in a prime position and would offer a unique opportunity for the right clients to take over new, modern, purpose-built premises, with the interchange on its doorstep.

PSP's Adam Cunnington said: "We are excited to be delivering high quality employment space that will appeal to a broad range of potential occupiers and contribute to the ongoing regeneration of the town centre."

As part of its town centre strategy, Bolton Council has identified the expansion of commercial development - in particular office accommodation - as being a key objective.

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: "We know from discussions with agents that there is a level of demand for this standard of office accommodation in Bolton.

"The flexibility and quality of this proposed development will be a key factor in attracting occupiers.

"We're doing everything we can to boost Bolton town centre. Together with the interchange, the extensive revamp of Newport Street, the work under way at the Market Place, this office accommodation has potential to be another piece in the regeneration of Bolton.

"The application will now be considered as part of the planning process."