A FORMER Bolton nightclub is set to be demolished and replaced with 92 homes.

The council's planning committee approved an application by developers No Problem Ltd to demolish the out-of-town Atlantis nightclub and build 92 flats.

The £5 million Waters Meeting Road venue, one of the most expensive nightclubs in the region, opened in a blaze of publicity in 1999, billing itself as a "superclub for the millennium".

It attracted chart-topping acts such as Busted and Girls Aloud. It had a capacity for 2,500 clubbers and featured six bars, two dance floors and a VIP lounge. But it closed in March because of financial problems, after failing to attract enough clubbers.

Now, councillors have approved outline plans to replace the venue with 92 apartments and car parking. The development would be accessed from Eagley Brook Way.

Highways officers made no objections, but both environmental health officers and Greater Manchester Police raised concerns about the possible conflict between the existing commercial facilities in the area and a new residential development.

Cllr John Walsh said: "I think this is exactly the type of area in which we should be supporting plans for residential properties."

Earlier this year the Bolton Pentecostal Church expressed an interest in buying the building, but managers of the premises decided it had no future use after 100 different groups turned down the chance to give it a new lease of life as a leisure facility.

Residents occupying the new flats would have a number of amenities on their doorstep.

The Valley is home to a number of leisure outlets including UGC Cinema, Esporta Health and Fitness Club, the Cotton Kier pub, Spice Valley Indian restaurant and Frankie and Benny's restaurant.

Two other major schemes in the area have been given the go-ahead by planners.

A 128-flat development is to be built on Eagley Brook Way and a 3,800 square metre office block, is being built as a new home for Bolton Social Services and the Bolton Business Venture.