Major £25m plans for a development containing 130 homes plus shops in Bolton town centre are set to be submitted to the council.
Led by North West-based Placefirst, the proposal is for a 1.1ha brownfield site to the north side of Deansgate, opposite the former Beales/Whittakers department store.
The site, part of the Croal Valley intervention centre, is currently filled with vacant buildings, with the proposals part of Bolton Council's wider £1bn masterplan for the town centre.
The plans have received the backing from local councillors, and Cllr Martyn Cox, deputy leader of Bolton Council said: “Croal Valley is a key site in Bolton Council’s £1bn town centre masterplan and PlaceFirst’s plans are set to transform what it means to live in Bolton town centre with the focus on high quality residential properties and attractive public spaces making it a more desirable place to live and work.
“These plans show that developers have confidence in Bolton despite the challenges from the coronavirus pandemic and demonstrates the commitment that investors are prepared to make.”
The new proposals have been designed by international architecture and design practice Levitt Bernstein, with Manchester-based Maddox Planning acting as planning consultant.
Placefirst said it has worked with the council and stakeholders for the past two years to ensure the right design and composition of development for the site.
The development would mean a new avenue of town houses running uphill from the river embankment and a mixed residential and commercial building on Deansgate.
The development has been designed around a network of pedestrian priority streets, a square, courtyards, rooftop terraces and residents’ gardens. The homes would include a choice of family town houses of two and three bedrooms and one and two-bedroom apartments.
To complement the new homes, Placefirst is also proposing a range of ground floor commercial units.
In partnership with the council, Placefirst is also planning for the enhancement of the River Croal embankment.
It's hoped the proposals will complement the historic fabric of Bolton centre.
David Mawson, chief executive for Placefirst, said: “Our vision for this Central Street development is much more than just bricks and mortar and is about creating a thriving community in the heart of Bolton.
"We’ve a proven track-record of regenerating areas and turning them into places people love to live, so am extremely excited about the transformation we’ll make to the town centre through this ambitious development.”
A planning application is expected to be submitted at the beginning of December. Placefirst aims to start work on site in 2021.
