MAJOR plans to change the face of Bolton town centre have been revised ahead of a key decision by the council this week – but heritage guardians stand firmly opposed to the “extravagant” design.

The planning committee is set to vote on plans to demolish Crompton Place shopping centre to make way for new retail, dining and office space, as well as 200 homes, a hotel and new pedestrian walkways leading to Victoria Square.

The proposals have been revised ahead of Thursday’s virtual meeting following feedback by Historic England and Bolton and District Civic Trust which both objected to the initial design describing it as “overpowering”.

The top floors of the buildings facing the town hall have been set back by up to nine metres at some points, creating terraces above Victoria Square.

Historic England has now written to Bolton Council confirming that it would no longer offer an objection to the application after the amendments were made.

But Richard Shirres, acting chairman of Bolton and District Civic Trust, stands firmly opposed to scheme and is calling on the council to “press pause”, consult on concepts for the square and propose a more “sustainable” design.

He said: “For Victoria Square, this is a ‘making-a-statement’ design, where the Town Hall and Cenotaph are rendered subservient instead of being the centrepiece.

“This scheme has not striven to integrate with the square, but to confront it.

“Despite some change, the Civic Trust still regards the appearance as over-sized and too near.

“But this is not simply impacting on our ‘jewel in the crown’ heritage and throwing away an opportunity of civic betterment.

“Fundamentally, it is also an extravagant design, with storey heights around 12 per cent greater than need, incurring more energy in perpetuity, with no evident optimization of natural lighting and with a paltry renewables’ ambition.

“It does not look, to the Civic Trust, like excellence.”

Bolton and District Civic Trust put forward its own alternative proposal to redevelopment plans for Crompton Place shopping centre back in June.

The trust welcomed proposals for an avenue between the new blocks leading to the town hall but said it should be wider and lined with “living green walls”.

It also suggests that twin “sanctuary” gardens, which could feature fountains, trees and seating, should be created on either side of the war memorial.

Mr Shirres added: “In June, it was 38°C in the Arctic Circle. We have a climate emergency.

“Greater Manchester is signed up to new commercial buildings being net zero carbon by 2028.

“New development needs to be climate ready – fit for the 21st century.

“So too Victoria Square – this core public space should be considered now, remodelled with garden islands and greater space, so to be climate adapted.”

The planning committee meeting will be held via video conference on Thursday at 2pm. It can be viewed online by visiting www.bolton.gov.uk.