COUNCILLORS will decide tomorrow whether to give the green light to plans to build a new children’s play area in Bolton town centre.

The planning committee will debate proposals to create the new play area on land known as Octagon Court — a small area between Great Moor Street and Ashburner Street — in front of the Lever Chambers Health Centre and next to the Octagon Car Park.

The council is asking the committee to approve several elements at tomorrow’s meeting — including the play trail equipment itself, a 1.2-metre high fence and gates as well as new railings linking to the nearby Octagon car park.

If plans are approved, Bolton’s famous brightly-coloured elephants, which have been based in Newport Street since 2007, will be relocated in the new play area after they were moved from their previous location as part of a scheme to revamp the key thoroughfare.

The play area location is adjacent to a number of portable traders and the idea has received a mixed response from those nearby.

Some believe it will bring in business while those who have objected to the plans believe the area is not big enough to house a playground and have said it could cause difficulties for people with prams and wheelchairs.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris maintains that the play area plan represents an “excellent idea for the town centre”.

He said: “Mums and dads come into the town centre to do some shopping with young children and need a bit of respite — a play area can give them that.

“Parents and grand-parents will be able to sit down and have a rest while the children can play and have some fun.

“There are quite a few similar areas across the country that are always busy.”

He added: “We know that the children love the elephants as well and they will be able to see them in the new play area.”