WORK is due to start on a 140-bedroom student development in Bolton town centre.

Developer Real Group has previously been granted planning permission to build the student accommodation – which promises to deliver 'world class facilities' – on derelict land next to The Balmoral pub.

The company says the accommodation will be ready for students in September 2017 when they return for the start of the academic year.

The development, which is named 4 Great Moor Street, will include 119 en-suite 'pods', and 21 studio flats, which will range in size from 12sqm to 29sqm. It will also include a gymnasium, reception area, communal kitchens, laundry rooms and landscaped gardens.

The University of Bolton had objected to the development of the accommodation, saying that it did not believe the town needed more student accommodation and warned it could lead to more traffic.

On its website, the developers say: "When the project is complete in time for intake in 2017 it will offer all students the very best in luxury living. The location of the site is in and amongst a very busy area within Bolton town centre on a road which is a key through route connecting Bradshawgate to Moor Lane.

"The University campus is situated approximately 0.6 miles away from the site and can be reached in two minutes via car or around 10 minutes by foot making the education zone within easy reach of the proposed development.

"Bolton train station is located approximately 300m away and with the new soon to be completed Bolton Transport Interchange literally opposite the site, nationwide transport access will be even easier than it currently is.

"Adjacent to the Interchange and approximately four minutes walk away from the building there are two large supermarkets and just a couple of minutes walk from the site there’s Bolton’s main town centre shopping."

Ambitious plans for a £40 million University of Bolton-backed student village in Cheadle Square were also revealed last year.

The development is expected to house up to 850 students and will replace the university’s existing halls, comprised of Orlando Village in Thynne Street, and The Hollins in Radcliffe Road, which provide 700 single bedrooms.