A FORMER intermediate care facility in Bolton - which has become a target for vandals - looks set to be demolished.

Councillors have been told that the backlog of repairs which have mounted up for Darley Court, in Haliwell, has reached an estimated £750,000.

The Bolton News reported in July how debris from the building, opposite St Joseph's RC Primary, had been left strewn across the grounds by intruders.

Litter pickers had become concerned that some of the old lagged pipes left in the grounds may have been covered in asbestos and presented a health and safety hazard.

Gerry Brough, the borough council's place director, said in a cabinet member report that the authority had already spent £135,000 on security and response patrols at the location since Darley Court was closed last November.

Another £8,500 has gone on timber boarding and anti-vandal paint and £3,500 on reactive repairs.

Mr Brough added: "There is currently a continuing health and safety risk and liability as the council is currently maintaining this asset with the assistance of security and response who have an increasing security provision despite recently boarding up the building in its entirety.

"Despite the full boarding and the anti-vandal paint it appears that vandals are still gaining access, the next steps, if the building was not to be demolished, would be to enhance security measures

He estimates a further £30,000 would need to be found for security fencing, £32,000 for steel shutters to prevent arson attempts and £2,800 per week for security patrols.

Mr Brough said: "Initial estimate costs for a demolition only of the building are between £50,000.00 and £60,000.00, but this is heavily caveated on obtaining survey information at a later date."

But in a report to Cllr Hilary Fairclough, the council's new deputy leader, he says this could be offset against the anticipated security cost savings.

Ward councillors have already been told that the sale of the wider site is already subject to the provisions of the council's ongoing asset management disposals programme.

Cllr Fairclough will be asked to give a ruling on the demolition issue next Wednesday.

Mr Brough's recommendation is for the demolition to go ahead and the work to be undertaken by Robertsons Facilities Management Ltd, with any related decision to be delegated to senior council officers.