A car park will finally be built at the site of a new leisure complex.
Budget issues meant the car park could not be completed as part of the development of Horwich Leisure Centre.
But now alternative cash has been found from another pot – which has left some councillors unhappy.
But Town Hall bosses say that using the cash will not impact other projects in the town.
The car park that set to be built at Horwich Leisure Centre will be done so using money for the District Centres Fund.
Over half-a-million pounds has been put aside from the fund to build the car park which residents and councillors have been demanding for seven years since the new leisure centre was built.
The £16m fund is a centralise pot for projects aimed at regenerating town centres in Horwich, Farnworth, Kearsley and Little Lever.
Steering groups in each area can bid for money from the pot, which will be handed out based on the strength of each proposal.
READ MORE: Complaints made over inadequate parking at Horwich leisure centre
However, the car park was originally meant to be funded and built by the project that built the new leisure centre.
READ MORE: Work to prepare old Horwich Leisure Centre for demolition to begin this month
A spokesman for Horwich and Blackrod First Independant sad that £525,000 from the town centre regeneration budget has been “forced through” to now build the car park.
“This money was never intended to subsidise a project that was outside of the Horwich Town Centre Regeneration remit,” the spokesperson added.
“Horwich has lost £525,000 to help revive our much-loved town centre, meaning any plans to make a difference have been seriously compromised by this decision.
“We believe the town centre funding should be protected for its intended purpose to revitalise and invigorate our high street, helping local shops and businesses flourish for our community.”
READ MORE: Horwich Health Hub to go ahead after approval
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Work to build the new Horwich Leisure Centre was completed in 2017.
“Due to budget issues and the future potential to redevelop the old leisure centre site, car park resurfacing was not delivered as part of the project.
“The District Centres Fund is a centralised pot of money, bids for individual projects are considered by the Executive Cabinet Member for Regeneration with funding awarded on merit.
“Therefore, any bid to resurface the car park would have no impact on the other bids for development projects in Horwich.
“The health hub and car park will complement the leisure centre, providing medical treatment and support for residents to stay healthy and active.”
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