PLANS to revamp Bolton's historic town hall have been given the green light by the government.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has granted listed building consent to the town hall scheme.

Opponents labelled the process "appalling" and "a farce" when the council's planning committee approved the plan.

Work will start in January on creating a new cafe-bar and upgraded wedding facilities, and is expected to be complete by November, 2016.

The amended plans still require one section of the Grade II-listed building to be cut into so a new disabled access ramp and entrance can be built on the north side.

Council bosses say the scheme will ensure the town hall remains one of the country's premier civic buildings.

Cllr John Walsh, Conservative for Astley Bridge, said: "I am pleased that, because of the pressure put on the council, the first proposals of knocking the front wall apart have been abandoned. There are a lot of details which need to be agreed, as we have not seen the detailed plans.

"What is now proposed is much more in keeping with the character of the building."

Richard Shirres, a member of the Civic Trust, said: "The Civic Trust, along with several councillors, expressed then deep concern at the grant of full planning approval for ill-defined proposals that make it impossible to identify the wisdom of what was approved.

"The Civic Trust is completely supportive of ensuring disabled access, but we questioned the late in the day concept. We believe, with much earlier planning, could have improved the provision all round to meet the needs of the Grade II* town hall."

Speaking after the plans were approved, Cllr Cliff Morris, council leader, said: “As custodians of some of Bolton’s finest buildings we fully understand our responsibilities. Those responsibilities include making sure that buildings like the town hall continue to play a major part in the lives of our communities and that it is fully accessible to all.

“We believed that the option to create a space for a restaurant and cafe with external seating areas was a good way to support the regeneration of the town centre and would help us to reduce the cost of running the Albert Halls without compromising the external appearance of the building.

“Many felt the adaptation to the facade was too high a price to pay and so we will not be pursuing this option now — instead we will focus on delivering improved accessibility and better catering and function facilities within the building.

"It will also allow us to retain the town hall as one of the country’s premier civic buildings and one that makes all Boltonians justifiably proud."