A PLEDGE of support has been given for a £30m healthcare college in the grounds of Royal Bolton Hospital after its development was ‘paused’ due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bolton College of Medical Sciences (BCMS), which was granted planning permission at the Barnes Drive site in 2019, was planning to begin welcoming students in 2022.

It was set to be the first such education centre in the UK and had aspirations to provide training across many disciplines, professions and agencies related to healthcare.

But last month a joint statement from The University of Bolton and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said the development ‘has been paused due to the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19’.

At a full council meeting on January 13, Harper Green councillor Sue Haworth asked about the £1m in capital funding the council had pledged to the project and expressed hope that the college could progress in the future.

She said: “The pause is a real blow. We need this in the south of the borough as we know it will attract students to the area and provide more jobs at the site.”

Cabinet member Cllr Martyn Cox said the council cash pledged had not been spent and said that if and when project was revived it could expect a similar level of support.

He said: “The council was prepared to support the Bolton College of Medical Science project with a capital grant of £1m.

“This project was always dependent on the on the support of the skills capital funding and the willingness of the University of Bolton to proceed with the development.

“That funding has now been withdrawn as a result of unwillingness of the university at this uncertain time to commit to the level of spending required.

“I acknowledge this scheme would be of great benefit to the university, the hospital and the town as a whole but we realise the university’s focus is currently and understandably their existing students wellbeing.

“We wish them well at progressing the scheme at a more appropriate time and we would of course be prepared to support at a similar level of investment.”

The approved designs for the college included a teaching and learning space, café, an associated staff and service space, and a dedicated multi-story car park.

The 7,600sqm site was set to use the latest medical technology, with simulation suites and surgical and acute care environments.

The development, when it proceeds, will incorporate two separate buildings: a five-storey education building for the college, and a three or four-storey car park to serve the BCMS learners, teaching and support staff, and any

visitors to the facility.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority had granted £10m through its Skills Capital Fund, supported by the University of Bolton Group, in partnership with Bolton Council and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.