Plans to create 97 student flats in new six-storey building over high performance car showroom

A six-storey block containing 97 students flats is planned above a luxury car showroom near Bolton town centre. AA Performance Cars Ltd, at Thynne Street, Bolton have applied for planning permission for a multi-storey mixed-use building with ground floor commercial use with a student halls of residence at first floor and above.

The firm, which describes itself as family run, markets ‘high quality prestige and performance vehicles’ including Lamborghinis, Land Rovers and Audis. A design and access statement in support of the plans, said: “The site is currently used as a satellite building to the main business located on St Helens Road, where all full time staff are based.

“When clients visit the site they do so with appointment only. “Orlando Village on the doorstep of the site was constructed as a purpose built student halls of residence.

“Quality designed student accommodation is essential for universities to prosper. “The type of accommodation sought by many students are studio bedrooms containing a double bed, a kitchen, dining and study space with en-suite shower.

“This accommodation type also includes common rooms and spaces for students to interact.” The application added that the redevelopment may be considered more as an intensification of use rather than strictly a change of use, in the vein of ‘building over the shop’.

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The statement, said: “The remaining ground floor area is to be used for ancillary accommodation for the student element and includes a generous entrance and foyer the vertical circulation core to access the upper floors an accessible toilet, the cycle store area and refuse area for both commercial and residential use.

“At first