A NEW children’s play area will be built in Bolton town centre after councillors unanimously approved plans.

Members of the planning committee were full of praise of the authority’s plan to create the new play area — complete with the all important elephants — on the Octagon Court in front of the Lever Chambers Health Centre.

The £75,000 scheme will include new play trail equipment, a 1.2-metre high fence and gates as well as new railings linking to the nearby Octagon car park.

It was also revealed that CCTV cameras will be set up to protect the area.

It had already been decided that the famous Newport Street elephants — named Ellie, Elner and Mr Jackbow — will take pride of place in the playground.

But officers confirmed — following requests from Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh — that two other elephant statues, previously located on top of the charity canopy will also be involved.

They will be placed high up on plinths to form an entrance to the area.

The proposals have prompted objections from some of the traders located in units next to Octagon Court, but councillors decided that their complaints regarding spatial issues and potential anti-social behaviour were unfounded.

Cllr Nick Peel said: “This is a fabulous application for the town centre.

“The issues presented by the traders about a lack of space to get past the area is a non-starter — there will be ample room to get around.

“Also we can’t not grant permissions because of potential misuse of the equipment or we would never build parks in Bolton.”

Former Labour councillor Sean Hornby — now representing UKIP — was also full of praise for the council’s application for the play area.

He said: “I would like to applaud the council and the executive member for their work on this — it is very much a box ticked and will draw people to that part of the town centre.”

The well-received application even prompted a rare unity between sparring partners Cllr John Walsh and council leader Cliff Morris, with the latter praising the former for highlighting the need to bring the older elephant statues into the design.