DEMOLITION of the landmark former Bolton Community College could start within weeks.

An application has been submitted to Bolton Council for the phased demolition of 17 historic buildings at the Manchester Road campus.

But the proposals have met with opposition from Bolton & District Civic Trust, which is concerned about it being knocked down with no clear plans for the future of the site.

The application comes after the college relocated to new premises in Deane Road last September, and under an agreement between the college and the council the site must be demolished to ground level within a year of that move.

The planning documents say the site will be actively marketed for commercial development, but it is not yet known what will replace it.

If the work is approved it could start as early as next month.

The Manchester Road campus was built in the late 1930s, but extensions have been carried out over the years.

Brian Tetlow, chairman of the Bolton & District Civic Trust, said: “It seems extraordinary that it is being considered for demolition rather than being used for other purposes. It has a hall with a stage that would be of use to the theatre world or it could be used for apartments.

“It is a building with interesting history and very much part of Bolton over many years and is worthy of preservation.

“Knocking it down with no clear sign of what is going to take its place is ludicrous.”

Under the proposals, a building which belongs to the Lancashire Homing Pigeon Club, which is used as a meeting room, will not be demolished and will be protected during the works.

The demolition covers the entire campus structures and buildings which incorporate Excel Leisure Centre, and the derelict public house and cottages that run along Lower Bridgeman Street between Westbrook Street and Gorton Street.

Agent Jonathan Williams said: “Work cannot start until the process has been completed. We expect to get a decision mid-June.”

If it gets the go ahead work could be completed by the end of October.