A CONSERVATION group is considering further legal action against Bolton Council after town hall bosses ordered the demolition of a historic building.

The announcement comes only days after the final blow was dealt to the former Bolton Community College building, which has now been completely demolished.

The Clarence Street building, designed by Victorian architect Jonathan Simpson, was one of Bolton town centre’s most distinctive landmarks until it was pulled down by the council to make way for a temporary pay-and-display car park.

Now Save Britain’s Heritage, a group which gave the building a temporary stay of execution last year when it obtained a high court injunction, may take further action against the council.

Secretary William Palin said: “Obviously it’s too late to save the building, but this may not be the end of the matter.

“We may have lost the battle, but we may still win the war and give them a reminder that they can’t carry on in this fashion.“ He said legal action may be possible because the council’s final decision to demolish the building was based on the fact that the building was already badly damaged by an earlier attempt to knock it down.

A council spokesman said following the demolition — the most cost-effective solution for the site — all eyes were now on the area’s future: "The council has always intended to seek a high quality development on this prominent gateway site as part of the £1.2 billion regeneration of the town centre.

“We are now able to proceed with marketing the Clarence Street site as a development opportunity, in accordance with the guidance in our development brief."