NEW buildings, bin collections, town centre parking and the state of Bolton’s roads have come under fire from the borough’s Civic Trust.

Chairman Brian Tetlow has made the organisation’s feelings clear in a no-holds-barred report, published as town hall chiefs prepare a document on the use of land in the borough for the next 15 years.

In his address, Mr Tetlow criticises: * Incongruous buildings, including the “lego-like” new car park off Topp Way and the “oppressive” tax office in Churchgate; * Bolton’s backlog of highway maintenance and the “deplorable” state of the borough’s roads; * Unkempt areas of the town centre which are blighted by litter, graffiti and flyposting; * Inconsiderate refuse collectors who leave bins “strewn” across pavements.

Bolton Council said last night several elements of the report were “inaccurate or misleading”, adding it would extract the parts of the Civic Trust report relevant to its Core Strategy.

The Core Strategy sets out what sort of development is acceptable on specific areas of land until 2026.

The spokesman added: “In the last four years, the council has adapted ‘Building Bolton’ a design guide, in relation to all new town centre developments. We use this guide to encourage high quality modern development in our town centre while protecting distinctive qualities in each area. The Civic Trust was consulted on this guide and is consulted on every development brief prepared in relation to the town centre.”

Further examples of buildings the Trust said did not fit in with Bolton’s heritage are the Marsden House apartment block in Marsden Road — a construction which “looms too large for the site” — and the “artificial” new Picture House apartments in Bradshawgate.

Mr Tetlow said: “Such developments no doubt arise because developers or architects wish to make a statement.

“However, the Civic Trust, and many members of the public, would have wished the planning department be more persuasive or persistent with developers to achieve more harmonious building quality.”

Mr Tetlow said proposals to regenerate the town centre with ambitious developments at Church Wharf and Central Street were unrealistic, and areas could be divided into more affordable projects which can begin sooner The Trust also said new housing should be concentrated on real “brownfield” sites, such as former industrial areas close to the town centre, where affordable accommodation can be built near to public transport.

And the Trust said Bolton needed to do more to appeal to investors by presenting a more attractive image.

Mr Tetlow said: “There are too many unkempt areas — roads and pavements in poor state of repair, litter and graffiti abounds, as does fly-posting.”

He described the state of many of the roads as deplorable, urging non-essential work is curtailed and repairs prioritised.

Other highlights of the report include a call for refuse staff to return bins to outside individual properties rather than leaving them strewn across the streets and demands for a less draconian parking regime.

The Core Strategy, which includes plans for the Cutacre site and the Horwich Loco Works, will be submitted to the Government next month and should be adopted as policy by March next year.

The council spokesman said: “The council has a policy to provide convenient, affordable housing, which is demonstrated by schemes under way like Westpoint — a 40-home development in Spa Road, in the town centre.

“The major schemes in Bolton, like Church Wharf and Central Street, are still progressing despite the economic climate and have been revised to reflect market conditions. It’s still very much business in Bolton with investment in the region of £152 million coming through from developments like the colleges in Deane Road and Bolton One.”