A BOLTON home owner has hit out at council bosses after being told his house is to be demolished.

Town Hall bosses have reviewed compulsory purchase orders served on 15 terrace houses on one side of Romer Street, Tonge Fold.

But Graham Walsh has now learned that his house has been declared "unfit for human habitation" and could be bulldozed.

Structural experts from Bolton Council say the front wall of Mr Graham's house is unstable.

And they maintain that other houses on the street, which date back to 1878, are derelict or in a poor state of repair.

But 60-year-old Mr Walsh has attacked the ruling and insists that his house is in a good condition.

The demolition plans, part of the Tonge Renewal Area scheme, have been amended following an outcry from residents.

Council bosses have decided not to demolish an entire block, but to bulldoze seven houses, knock through four to make two bigger houses and allow another four to remain standing.

Many houses on Romer Street are derelict and boarded up, but other homeowners, like Mr Walsh, who have spent time and money on their properties, are angry.

He said: "I cannot believe that they are saying this house is unfit to live in.

"If this house is not suitable, then they will be pulling down thousands of homes right across Bolton.

"I cannot understand why they are knocking down good houses when there is a shortage of properties in the town."

He has vowed to write to Bolton Council's legal department to challenge the decision. He added: "This house was an investment for me to fund my pension.

"I was looking forward to having a little bit of income when I retire."

A spokeswoman for Bolton Council said no action had been officially confirmed and added that property owners could write to the Town Hall with their views and suggestions. She said: "No one in Romer Street has officially received a compulsory purchase order.

"Council members agreed a set of preferred proposals for Romer Street which will involve converting some properties by turning four houses into two larger ones, clearing seven properties and leaving four properties alone.

"We have contacted residents about this decision and we are asking those people directly affected by the clearance to write to us by November 8." A final decision will be taken at Bolton Council's executive meeting on November 15.

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