Capital&Centric eyes summer start for £50m Farnworth refresh 

Following the grant of outline consent last year, the developer has lodged a detailed application with Bolton Council to create 94 homes and 20,000 sq ft of bars, cafés and independent stores. 

“We think Farnworth will challenge the perception of town centre living and set the blueprint for how to reinvigorate centres that have traditionally relied heavily on footfall from shoppers,” said Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric. 

Subject to planning approval, construction work could begin in the summer. 

The £50m BDP-designed revamp, which also features a linear park, coworking space, and a community pavilion, originally featured 220 homes.  

However, Capital&Centric scaled back the residential element following a public consultation. Of the 94 homes proposed, 82 will be one- and two-bedroom apartments and six will be family houses. 

A planned events pavilion will support outdoor community events, such as maker’s markets, pop-up art galleries, foodie gatherings and live music, to bring people to the neighbourhood, according to the developer. 

Last December, Farnworth was awarded £13m of Future High Streets funding to help transform the town centre. In addition, Capital&Centric’s project will benefit from £1.4m from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s share of the government’s £400m Brownfield Housing Fund.  

“There’s a real buzz about the plans for Farnworth and it’s brilliant to hit the ground running in 2022 with submission of the detailed plans,” Heatley added. 

“It’s all part of a renaissance of Greater Manchester’s towns as places to live, as well as dine out or shop. So that Farnworth becomes a proper neighbourhood, we’ve made sure it’s packed with features that we know from experience help foster community spirit… be it the mix of family homes as well as apartments, the community hub or the flexible green spaces for Sunday socials.”  

Cllr Martyn Cox, leader of Bolton Council, said: “It’s great to see Capital&Centric’s plans progressing and taking shape following detailed consultation with Farnworth stakeholders and residents.  

“This mixed-use development offers something for all ages with new homes, community hub, leisure facilities and green space, Farnworth will be transformed creating a real community in the heart of the town.”