Planning approval has been given for the The 7.5-acre Church Wharf site in Bolton which will be turned into a new neighbourhood with 415 homes, a 130-bed hotel, and commercial space for shops, bars and restaurants.
The developers Watson say the mixed-tenure homes would be delivered over four phases and sit alongside other local developments including Moor Lane and Deansgate Gardens.
Once complete, it will support over 1,000 residents and is expected to pump £7m in annual spending into the local economy.
The Church Wharf site has sat dormant for decades and is identified as a key priority within Bolton’s town centre masterplan. The development is supported by £5 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund, and follows the Council’s provisional agreement to sell the land earlier this year.
Commenting on the news, Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said:
“This is a significant step forward in bringing the work to regenerate Church Wharf to the next stage. Church Wharf is a key development site at a strategic gateway to the town centre, and as work nears completion on projects like Moor Lane and Deansgate Gardens, this marks an exciting new phase in our regeneration masterplan. Together with the upcoming demolition of Crompton Place and the recent relocation of Primark, we are now consolidating our retail offer while introducing the right mix of leisure, hospitality and quality residential spaces across our town centre. This will also boost market confidence for investment in Bradshawgate, a part of town with enormous potential for regeneration.”
