Tom Ashton is a business man born and raised in Bolton, he derives from a working class family and is a self made business man. Tom has had businesses in Bolton since the 1960's, employing local residents,

Tom would like to redevelop a vacant property on the outskirts of Bolton town centre into an 80 bedrooms hotel, which would enable employment for local people. The property is situated on Waterloo Street Bolton and currently named Ashton House.

Tom Ashton had applied for change of use to Ashton House, which had previously been leased by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Mr Ashton has requested to turn the vacant property into an 80 bed hotel. After 1 month the plan was rejected by Bolton councils planning department staring "insufficient information" provided. There was twenty five days left in respect of the decision making Process the council adheres to. The plan was refused and Mr Ashton was not notified of any additional required information which he could have provided within the procedural timescales.

Bolton council under the pseudo business name PSP Bolton Ltd have announced their intention to create its own 80-bed hotel on the former Odeon site within Bolton town centre. This plan has been underway since 2007 with no progress to date. It is felt that this is a huge conflict of interest as Bolton council whom make the final section in respect of a planning permission have their own business interests in hotels working and around Bolton town centre.

Bolton council should appoint an independent reviewing process to consider the application to ensure that Bolton council are not refusing planning to protect their own business ventures.

It may also interest you to know that PSP Bolton also own the Bolton town centre Travelodge, therefore, should they build a new hotel on the Odeon site Bolton council via PSP Bolton LTD will own two out of the three hotels in the town centre.

We plea for a non-biased, independent review and reasoning as to why the plan was initially rejected. This development will bring revenue and jobs to Bolton.

A quote from my Uncle Tom

"My Name is Tom Ashton - Born in Bolton in 1935 -lived in council housing until until 1962 before starting in (1967) - My Company Tom Ashton( Bolton) Limited .I have successfully operated 48 years -All within Bolton. Firstly in the Motor Trade employing many people- 24 years ago I responsible for the Building of the first new hotel in Bolton- The Queens Moat House ( now Holiday Inn) Instead of leaving town with the sale proceeds- I reinvested in a speculative build -Ashton House Waterloo Street-which attracted Nat West bank into town and they occupied the building for 23 years- Employing some 300 staff ."