A BUILDING that forms part of the historic Horwich Loco Works faces demolition.

Armstrong Environmental Services has applied for planning permission to knock down the Smithy and Bolt Shed because they say it is unsafe.

But the proposals have sparked concern among local heritage enthusiasts, who say the Loco Works are a major part of the town’s past.

Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage, said: “It is the most complete set of loco works buildings still existing in the country.

“The council has moved to make it a conservation area, but that does not mean that buildings cannot be lost.

“We hope that the council will put up a robust defence because it would be a shame to knock it down. The buildings are more than 100 years old and I hope that an alternative outcome can be found.”

The Horwich Loco Works, are on land off Chorley New Road, which is now an industrial estate.

It was made a conservation area in 2006 to protect the buildings so they could serve as a reminder of Horwich’s industrial past for future generations.

The site was built between 1884 and 1892 and provided workshops for manufacturing and repairing locomotives. It closed in 1983.

Armstrong Environmental owns and occupies a large section of the Loco Works site.

The building the company wants to knock down has been used for recycling wood for the last 10 years.

But in August last year one of the cast iron pillars was accidentally knocked out of place and the roof has collapsed. The building has been deemed unsafe by structural engineers.

David Armstrong, chief executive of Armstrong Environmental, said in a letter to Bolton Council: “Unfortunately, on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, there was a serious incident within the building and, as a consequence, one of the cast iron pillars has been knocked out of place.

“Subsequently the roof has fallen in and this has resulted in two sections of the south east roof and gable end becoming unsafe.”

A decision is expected to be made by Bolton Council in October.