Bolton reveals ‘game-changer’ masterplan for £1bn town centre makeover

Nine-figure plans to shape and transform the future of Bolton up to 2030 and beyond have been unveiled.

Published this morning (September 20) by Bolton Council, the £1bn blueprint contains proposals to breathe new life into the town centre by building 1,800 homes, creating 7,400 jobs and generating new economic activity worth £412m.

Five strategic sites have identified for redevelopment: Trinity Quarter, Cheadle Square, Crompton Place, Church Wharf and Croal Valley.

The authority announced initial details of the plan back in July and has since approved borrowing £100m to get the project underway. Private sector investors will fund the remainder of the plan.

It is hoped the first phase, involving site clearance, will begin as early as Spring 2018.

Bolton Council Leader Cllr Cliff Morris commented: “This masterplan shows how forward thinking and ambitious this council really is.

“We now want to get to work as quickly as possible. We are already speaking to a number of developers and partners about delivering the different schemes outlined in the framework.”

He continued: “Although it is ambitious we are confident that this is an achievable vision that identifies key areas of the town centre, and it will be a game-changer in terms of transforming the centre of Bolton.”

The main proposals include:

• A mixed-use Grade-A office and residential development within Trinity Quarter; a hotel, office block and a multi-storey car park at Trinity Gateway; and a pedestrian route through Trinity Quarter.

• Housing and apartments on the former bus station site at Cheadle Square, along with student housing and a mixed-used development on Queen Street to complement existing cultural venues.

• A transformation of the empty BHS store at Crompton Place with a food court on the upper floor, overlooking Victoria Square; an expanded Primark; and new pedestrian access between Bradshawgate and Hotel Street.

• The creation of apartments, town houses and a pedestrian route along the River Croal to see Church Wharf turned into a new town centre ‘quarter’.

• At Croal Valley/Central Street, the River Croal could be opened up with an improved environment; houses and flats overlooking the river frontage; and a series of ‘pocket parks’ along the river.

Speaking further, Cllr Morris said: “It is no secret that town centres across the country continue to face tough challenges. We are also realistic that the plan may need to change and adapt over the years to reflect changing economic conditions.

“What we do know is that without the council’s direct intervention, there is a risk that the necessary pace and scale of change that is required will simply not be achieved.”

He added: “This is not simply looking at one or two compact areas in isolation - it is joined up, strategic planning to transform the town centre for decades to come.”

International design firm BDP was chosen as the strategy’s lead consultant.

The masterplan will be considered at a Cabinet meeting on Monday (September 25).