Developer Step Places and social housing provider Bolton at Home, working with Bolton Council, are now on site to transform 4.5 acres of a brownfield site into a mix 208 new homes, green spaces and shops.
The Moor Lane scheme in Cheadle Square will develop a mixture of apartments and townhouses in Bolton town centre.
The scheme brings enhanced green spaces and significant landscaping to the town centre, as part of Bolton’s Towns Fund deal, This will benefit residents and businesses, and create new retail units to compliment the newly improved Bolton Market.
The proposal focuses on three sites, the largest being the vacant bus station just off Moor Lane. A second site lies to the east of Blackhorse Street and south of the existing Bolton Job Centre and a third, smaller site, lies to the east of Blackhorse Street, and north of the job centre.
The whole development will also include new cycle paths and enhanced pedestrian routes.
Moor Lane will offer over 82 affordable homes which will be available for rent, shared equity and rent to buy. The remaining 126 homes are a mix of private rented and open market sale.
Cllr Martyn Cox, leader of Bolton Council said: “These exciting plans for a major town centre brownfield site are starting to be built following extensive consultation with local residents. The Moor Lane development will bring much needed new high-quality homes, green spaces and public spaces to Bolton.
The benefits this development brings to our town are great, both to boost our local economy and create a new neighbourhood in the heart of Bolton. “
Harry Dhaliwal, managing director of Step Places said: “We are excited to deliver a sustainable, high quality town centre development which will differentiate itself from other town centre developments by delivering modern 3 storey housing for a range of homeowners.
“Our scheme has been carefully embedded into the wider town centre master plan and will drive wider benefits for the residents and businesses of Bolton. The connectivity of the location will allow people to benefit from excellent public transport to the wider Greater Manchester boroughs making Bolton an area of choice for new homeowners.”
Jon Lord, chief executive of Bolton at Home said: “Working in partnership with Step Places will allow us to deliver a unique offering to the people of Bolton. Delivering schemes across Bolton and the wider area gives us an understanding of what the housing needs are of the communities we work in.
“Our shared beliefs and principles have allowed us to design a scheme that will bring benefits beyond the initial bricks and mortar investment. Securing planning permission for the development and moving straight on to delivery is testament to the drive and ambition that Bolton at Home and Step Places have for creating a new benchmark in living standards with our joint philosophy securely planted in protecting and enhancing the environment.
This new development, right in the heart of Bolton Town Centre is a real opportunity to regenerate and rejuvenate this key strategic location to create a new mixed tenure sustainable neighbourhood that we can all be proud of. Investing in new development opportunities strengthens our business and allows us to invest more in our existing stock as well.”
Moor Lane is one of six key intervention areas in the Bolton town centre masterplan, with the council establishing a £100m fund to acquire, clear and prepare town centre development sites capable of attracting private sector investment.
The exciting proposal is part of a wider regeneration masterplan across Bolton, which aims to improve public areas, green spaces, and multi-purpose opportunities, create a more attractive environment for everyone to enjoy, and regenerate Bolton in a sustainable way for future generations.
