BOLTON College’s Horwich campus could be closed and replaced with housing, according to the council’s new plans for the town.

Town Hall chiefs say they have identified the land for property development, as the campus may no longer be needed after the creation of the multi-million pound town centre campus.

The college says its lease for the building is coming to an end and a review is under way.

The Horwich campus runs a number of courses, including metalwork fabrication and motor vehicle courses.

In its long-term planning document for the town, Bolton Council has put forward proposals to allocate the land for housing.

The plan states: “Ongoing consolidation of the main Bolton College facilities within Bolton town centre may mean that in the medium term the Horwich campus will no longer be required.

“Redevelopment of the site would then be appropriate and it has been allocated for housing on the proposals map.”

No allocation of the land has been made on the town centre campus or the Farnworth campus as, according to the report: “All of these sites are in current use, and so there is no need to show them on proposals map.”

The draft allocation plan is now open to public consultation.

Landowners and users of land are consulted when proposals are drawn up.

Bolton College principal Marie Gilluley said: “The Bolton College site in Horwich is subject to a lease which ends in the next few years.

“Alternatives for relocation at that time are under review. When, and if, there are firm proposals in relation to the landlord’s future development, we will consider the options available to the college.

“Staff and learners will be fully consulted on plans at the appropriate time.”