A TIMELINE for a new health centre and library in Little Lever has been revealed.

Bolton Council is expected to approve funding in January, meaning contracts could be put out to tender and building work could begin by spring.

As well as housing three GP practices, community health and community care facilities and treatment rooms, the new building will house a library.

Cllr David Evans, said: “Early in the new year we should see the funds formalised and residents consulted on the design of the new-build option - because this is a centre for everyone and I want them to be comfortable with how it will look and feel - and then we're getting the builders in.”

It marks the latest development in a four-year saga which began when the former Tesco Metro closed in November 2014.The council later bought the site and a planning application to transform the supermarket into a library and community centre was submitted in September 2016.

However, it was later decided to build new premises rather than converting the existing building, and an updated planning application was approved in February this year to knock it down.

Cllr Evans said: “The Bolton Labour Council committed to transforming the derelict former Tesco building. Everyone knows it is old and it needs a lot of work. This is about getting the best deal for Little Lever and Darcy Lever residents."

The latest news was revealed at a meeting of Little Lever and Darcy Lever area forum. Some members of the public who attended suggested that effort and money had been squandered on planning applications in September 2016 and another in November last year — both of which approved converting the building, rather than a full rebuild.

Resident Stanley Myerscough said: “I’m disappointed that so-called experts can’t tell what’s required in four years." And Mr David Meehan said: “Time and money was wasted on drawing up schemes that were pointless.”

Cllr Evans said: “When the original plans were drawn up I suspect people didn’t realise the full extent of what was needed.”