GROUPS which protect the country’s heritage have made last-minute objections to controversial plans to demolish the former Theatre Church.

The plans to knock down the weddings and function venue in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, to build nine houses, are due to be discussed by councillors at a planning meeting next week.

Bolton and District Civic Trust and The Victorian Society have both now written to the council in recent days objecting to the application.

The trust’s letter states nine reasons why members believe the scheme should be refused, including that there is a clear community need to retain the building, which was used by amateur theatre and dance groups for more than 40 years.

A spokesman for the trust, set up in 1964, said: “The applicant’s survey states that the intended use for which the Theatre Church was bought has now been discovered to be untenable, as there is already a wide range of better-equipped facilities nearby.

“It would have been prudent to identify this before spending £500,000.

“Applicants’ finances are a commercial matter, not a material planning consideration.”

In summer 2012, the building’s owners, Bolton Methodist Circuit, rejected an offer of £300,000 raised by amateur dramatics groups and sold it to private investors who opened Crystal Theatre, Function and Wedding Halls.

The new owners now claim the business is not financially viable and the building is in a state of disrepair which has left them with no option but to demolish it.

The Victorian Society, which champions Victorian and Edwardian architecture, said: “We object to the demolition of the former Methodist Chapel, a handsome and distinguished historic building that contributes much to the appearance and character of the local townscape.

“Given both the desirability and the aspiration of providing some form of community facility on site, and in light of the relatively expansive open plot beside the former chapel, the obvious solution would be to retain the historic building as a community facility and to erect new dwellings alongside.”

London-based Theatres Trust has also said money should be provided for a replacement facility if the demolition goes ahead.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said the application would be discussed at a meeting on Thursday, September 25.