Halliwell events venue plans approved by Bolton Council

Plans to convert two industrial units at Victoria mill at Halliwell Business Park into an events venue and community facility for hundreds of people have been approved by Bolton Council.

Under the plans two units transformed into a venue capable of hosting conferences, exhibitions and community events with a maximum operational capacity of 350 attendees.

Planning officers said the application had attracted 24 individual objections, 36 pro forma letters and a petition with 78 signatures.

Matthew Wyatt, associate town planner at PWA Planning, said: "What we have before you today represents the optimum viable use of a pair of units that have been vacant for over 12 months within a non-designated heritage asset.

The venue will have a capacity of up to 350 (Image: Walker Design)

"Bringing this space back into productive use safeguards part of the building's long-term future while also delivering an uplift in on-site employment.

"I fully acknowledge that local residents have expressed concerns during the consultation period.

"Where genuine planning issues were identified, I hope we've worked proactively with the officers over an extended determination period to establish a comprehensive package of enforceable controls."

While parking and noise were the main issues raised by residents, the council's pollution control team had accepted the submitted noise assessment.

Officers therefore considered noise escaping from the building would be minimal.

The venue should operate until 11 pm from Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Members heard the building is a long-standing industrial premises with no existing planning restrictions on operating hours, while the application would instead be controlled through planning conditions.

A noise management scheme will prohibit outdoor fireworks, pyrotechnics and external drumming, and require windows to remain closed during events and be backed by a 12-month monitoring report.

The applicant has also provided a noise management scheme, which explicitly states that fireworks will not be permitted, which was a major concern raised by local residents.

It’s said the area would instead benefit in terms of employment and community provision.

The committee also heard that parking would be secured through a Section 106 agreement.

Planning officers said 96 formal parking spaces and 79 managed overflow spaces would be made available during events, giving a total of 175 spaces.

The committee heard the proposed conditions include controls over operating hours, noise management, odour control and a requirement for ongoing monitoring.

Members were also told the parking surveys submitted with the application concluded the business park could accommodate demand, with most events expected to take place outside normal business operating hours.

Plans have been submitted (Image: Walker Design)

Mr Wyatt added: "This proposal brings new life into a vacant, non-designated heritage asset, supports local employment and does so under a proposed planning framework that protects resident living conditions.

"For these reasons, and in accordance with the officer's recommendation, we respectfully ask members to support the recommendation."

A few councillors questioned how any future complaints about noise would be enforced.

Planning officers said any alleged breaches would be investigated through the council's normal enforcement procedures and noted that environmental health powers could also be used to deal with statutory nuisances where necessary.

During debate, members said the conditions addressed residents' concerns and highlighted the benefits of bringing part of the historic mill back into use.

The application was approved unanimously.