A PETITION against the University of Bolton’s ambitious plans to build a £40 million block of student accommodation in front of the historic Le Mans Crescent has been launched.

Campaigner Eric Hyland, who said he is considering standing as an independent candidate in Bradshaw in the forthcoming local elections, was out collecting signatures in Cheadle Square — the site of the proposed student digs — on Saturday.

The 69-year-old created two banners with slogans “Stop the madness” and “Don’t build on Cheadle Square” to attract people to support his campaign.

Mr Hyland said the town centre was shrinking and the plan to build student accommodation next to Le Mans Crescent “would do nothing to address that issue”.

He added: “Why build in front of Le Mans Crescent? It will cover up what is a beautiful building.

“We have so much magnificent architecture in Bolton – but a lot of the modern buildings look terrible.

“This plan is nothing more than a big block of flats.”

He said that in the space of an hour-and-a-half on Saturday more than 100 people signed his petition.

He added: “My main concern is that we do not know the full details of this application.

“On a more fundamental level, I do not see why there is a need to develop this area of land. Why not turn it into a green area?

“Occupancy of existing student accommodation isn’t 100 per cent and some projects in Bolton that would have added more student accommodation have been abandoned."

Mr Hyland added that it would be important for any planning application arising from the plans to be scrutinised.

A spokesman for the university said it was “very aware” of the history associated with Le Mans Crescent and said it was committed to protecting and preserving the aesthetics of the building.

He added: “The initial plans for the Cheadle Square development, presented on February 13, reflected a very preliminary stage in the planning process.

“The images shown merely indicate where the new student housing will be situated, and do not reflect the project's final architectural design.

“Introducing a major student campus will help to further establish Bolton as a university destination and also provide a significant economic boost to the town.”