Bolton expected to approve £44m Bradshawgate scheme
Empire Property Concepts could claim victory on its mixed-use plans for an old car showroom after dramatically reducing an original application from 2020.
Under the revised plans, the nearly 1.5 acres of brownfield would become 253 apartments and 16 townhouses with more than 11,000 sq ft of commercial floor space divided between six units. The tallest building on the site would be 16 storeys, with others ranging from five to eight storeys.
Empire Property Concepts had initially approached the council in May 2020 with a proposal for 698 apartments on the site, with buildings ranging from 13 to 20 storeys. Addressing panel concerns about liveability, when the application was originally sent in it included only 394 homes with buildings of a uniform 10 storeys in height. Planning officers encouraged Empire Property Concepts to revisit the plans again, resulting in the current 269-unit scheme, which is recommended for approval at Bolton’s planning committee meeting on 3 February.
The site is bisected by Shiffnall Street, with Bradshawgate to the west, Carlton Street to the east and Bridgeman Place to the south. The former Williams BMW car showroom buildings were all demolished by August 2020, leaving the land vacant.
DMS Architecture designed the project, which also includes 55 car parking spaces across two car parks and, for residents, 300 spaces of secure cycle parking.
Of the 16 townhouses, five would have one bedroom while 11 would be two-bedroom homes. The 253 apartments break down to 109 one-bedroom units, 120 two-bedroom ones, and 24 three-bedroom homes.
Cars could access the site from either Shiffnall Street or Carlton Street.
DLP Planning assisted with the application.
ADS conducted the viability appraisal report, which found development costs would be around £44.2m with the gross development value of the project being around £44.9m. Given those numbers, ADS found that “it would not be justifiable to require the affordable housing requirement”.
Looking to learn more? The application’s reference number with Bolton Council is 09549/20.
