A PIONEERING scheme to build the first privately funded magistrates court in Bolton has met with further delays.

The impressive 12 court building was to be built last November but was put on hold when the Government announced a squeeze on public spending.

It was later revealed that the scheme was to be included in a initiative to fund major capital projects such as hospitals, roads and prisons from private cash.

It was hoped the £8 million court building at Cheadle Square would be moved closer to the go-ahead with the publication of guidelines in January on how the private scheme would operate. But despite workshops organised by the Lord Chancellor's Department, the guidelines have not been finalised and the scheme is in limbo.

Bolton's Chief Clerk to the Justices, Peter Dawson said he had no idea when there would be any progress: "It would appear they are finding it more complicated than they originally envisaged. The project will still go ahead but there needs to be changes.

"We are hoping to have meetings with the local authority to discuss the project, but until we get the guidelines there is nothing we can do." Previously the Lord Chancellor allocated capital funds for court buildings and 20pc of the cost would be met by the council.

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