Bolton council approves masterplan
Bolton Council’s cabinet has approved the framework for the £1bn redevelopment of its town centre.
The masterplan, designed by BDP, includes projects in five strategic areas of the town centre to support development up to 2030 and beyond. Outline numbers are that the masterplan will deliver up to 1,800 homes, 7,400 new jobs and generate economic activity worth an additional £412m.
Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “We have been really pleased with the reaction we have had from across the region from our partners, from businesses and most importantly the public. Yes, our plan is ambitious, yes it is bold, and yes it is aspirational. We make no apologies for any of this.
“The regeneration of the town centre is already underway with developments like the £27m Market Place refurbishment and the £48m Interchange. But more change is needed to make the town centre fit for the future and we are going to drive it forward as rapidly as we can.”
The areas identified for improvement in the masterplan are Trinity Quarter, Cheadle Square, Crompton Place, Church Wharf and Croal Valley.
Bolton Council announced initial details of the plan in July 2017 and the authority has since approved borrowing of £100m to kickstart work with site assembly, public realm improvements and infrastructure.
It is hoped that work on the first phase, the clearance of land in the Trinity Gateway and Church Wharf areas, can start next spring.
