Work to create a vibrant new neighbourhood in Bolton town centre, with hundreds of homes and a hotel, could start as early as next year.
Today (March 18), Bolton Council’s cabinet agreed to the provisional sale of the land at the Church Wharf development site.
Under these plans, local developer Watson Homes would deliver 417 homes and a 120-bed hotel across three construction phases.
The developer must first secure planning permission and appropriate funding for the scheme.
A draft timeline for the development could see work start in 2025 with final completion in late 2027 or early 2028.
Church Wharf occupies a desirable riverside location near to the Parish Church and stands at a key gateway to the town centre.
It is one of six intervention areas under Bolton Council’s regeneration masterplan for the town centre.
To prepare the site, Bolton Council has previously acquired a number of properties backing on to Bank Street and Manor Street before carrying out full demolition and enablement works.
The direct intervention of the council has transformed a site that was full of derelict and under-used buildings into an attractive investment opportunity with real potential.
While previous plans for the area were impacted by COVID and rising construction costs, the work already carried out by the council meant Church Wharf remained an attractive opportunity for investment.
Watson Homes was selected from a total of five interested developers who were each assessed on the basis of the deliverability, sustainability, and the social value of their proposals.
The scheme is being supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Brownfield Housing Fund.
Bolton Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said:
“A conditional sale of this type is the best way to ensure work goes ahead promptly, while also ensuring the final scheme delivers on what our town centre needs.
“Bringing more people to live here will attract more hospitality, leisure and retail businesses into Bolton and create a more vibrant town centre.
“The inclusion of a hotel will be a boost for local businesses and will also widen the options for those visiting Bolton for our excellent events or outstanding cultural offer.”
Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said:
“The direct intervention of the council has transformed a site that was full of derelict and under-used buildings into an attractive investment opportunity with real potential.
“This is our town centre regeneration masterplan in action, delivering much needed homes on brownfield land while also protecting our Green Belt from future residential development.
“Together with our recent announcement on Crompton Place, projects of this scale will give confidence to other investors and act as a catalyst for even more regeneration.”