LONG-AWAITED plans for a new library and health centre are set to be approved this week.

The latest plans to demolish a former supermarket in Little Lever to make way for the new centre will be discussed by the planning committee on Thursday afternoon.

Plans to turn the old Tesco site into a modern facility have been in the pipeline since the store moved out of Market Street at the end of 2014.

Little Lever and Darcy Lever councillor Sean Hornby told The Bolton News that, if the plans are approved, demolition could start by the end of October with the aim of completing construction by Autumn 2020.

He said: "This application has been before us before and we did approve it last time. It’s something that Little Lever has been waiting for for some time. What this will indicate to the public is that the council has at long last restarted that regeneration of Little Lever."

Bolton Council chiefs gave the go-ahead for the building to be demolished to make way for a purpose-built facility in October 2018.

Two planning applications for the project were approved — one in September 2016 and another in November 2017 — both of which involved converting the building, rather than a full rebuild.

Councillors will also debate a proposal for a £12m link road at the 1,700-home Rivington Chase development which involves demolishing a section of an historic train yard.

Horwich Heritage has objected to knocking down the Loco Works erecting shop, but developer Bluemantle says the building is no longer viable.

Plans to convert a hair salon to a dog training creche will also be discussed. Estilo in Darwen Road was set to be transformed into Paws For Thought but council leader and Bromley Cross councillor David Greenhalgh has asked the committee to look at the plans first.

A total of 11 letters of objection have been received with concerns of dog mess causing smells, excessive noise from barking dogs and an increase in volume of traffic.

Applicant Leah Kellett told neighbouring residents that she is not opening dog kennels and has received 17 letters of support.

Plans to expand a Breightmet primary school will also be discussed as well as plans for a multi-use games area at Rumworth School.

A former car park would be used to facilitate public realm improvements in the town centre for five months if the committee approves the plans for the Barn Street site.

The public meeting takes place at the town hall on Thursday at 2pm.