Muse Developments has launched a consultation on plans to create a new £150m neighbourhood at Church Wharf in Bolton town centre.
Set alongside the River Croal and between St Peters Way (A666), Bank Street, Manor Street and Folds Road the underused site is set to be transformed.
The regeneration of Church Wharf will create a distinctive new area of the town in an attractive riverside setting.
It will include a vibrant mix of around 320 homes, including townhouses and apartments, from 1 bedroom to 4 bedroom units, providing homes for young people, first-time buyers and families.
The plans also include a new hotel, commercial offices and leisure and retail opportunities, such as a café, convenience store or bar/restaurant.
Residents and visitors will also be able to enjoy green, open space with plans to improve the river setting and build a new footbridge linking the site to Bank Street. A walkway through a new ‘river park’ will open up access to the river and encourage people to visit the area.
Muse Developments is working in partnership with Bolton Council to regenerate the site. Church Wharf is part of Bolton Council’s £1 billion masterplan to transform the town centre.
The new neighbourhood will boost the local economy with up to 290 jobs created when the site is completed and 130 jobs during construction. The Council will also benefit from an additional £450,000 of business rates each year.
David Burkinshaw, Muse Developments, said: “Cities and towns across the North are being revitalised as more people choose to live in urban centres. This shift in the way people want to live is enabling new neighbourhoods to be created with a daytime and evening economy, where restaurants, bars, cafes and shops all thrive.
“The Church Wharf site is in an ideal location for new homes, within minutes’ walk of the centre of town. The setting alongside the River Croal and with impressive views of the two churches gives Muse the opportunity, working in partnership with Bolton Council, to create something really special that people can be proud of.
“The area has a rich industrial heritage and the development will be designed to balance the desire for modern, high quality architecture with its historic setting. We’re looking at retaining some of the existing buildings and other features.”
Councillor Ebrahim Adia, Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, added: “Church Wharf is a key gateway into Bolton town centre and one of five sites in the Council’s billion-pound town centre masterplan. Creating a new neighbourhood at Church Wharf will help regenerate the town centre and breathe new life into the area. We’re supporting this vision with £100m direct investment to fund the key infrastructure needed to deliver important town centre sites including Church Wharf.”
“We’re delighted to be working with Muse who have a great track record in regeneration. We’re excited by the plans that have been developed and would encourage local people to come along to the consultation events and have their say.”
Two drop-in consultation events will be held at Unit 11 (next to Warren James), Crompton Place Shopping Centre, Bolton BL1 1EA on: Friday 25th January, 12-6pm and Saturday 26th January, 10-4pm.
Muse Developments expects to submit a planning application in Spring 2019 with a decision from Bolton Council expected in the Summer. Whilst developing the site, the opportunity to set aside a temporary landscaped area for leisure and events is also being looked at.
Local residents can get in touch with the project team in the following ways:
Website: www.churchwharfbolton.co.uk
Email: info@churchwharfbolton.co.uk
Freephone: 0800 170 1550 (during office hours)
Freepost: Church Wharf, Freepost RTXY-USYY-HAXE, c/o Newgate, Sevendale House, 5-7 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1JA
Twitter:
Facebook: churchwharfbolton