Placefirst’s £25m Bolton scheme to advance 

The build-to-rent developer’s 158-home Croal Valley project is earmarked for approval by the council’s planning committee.

Situated on a key site bordered by the River Croal and part of Bolton Council’s £1.5bn regeneration of the town centre, the £25m project is to feature a mix of apartments and townhouses. 

 The project designed by architect Levitt Bernstein would be built on a largely vacant 2.7-acre plot off Central Street and Deansgate, opposite the former Beales/Whittakers department store. 

Under the proposals, several buildings fronting Deansgate would be demolished to make way for the project.

Placefirst also proposes improvements to the River Croal embankment, to be led by landscape architect CW Studios. 

Several buildings fronting Deansgate would be demolished to make way for the project

Manchester-based Maddox Planning is the planning consultant for the project. 

Bolton Council’s planning committee is to meet on Thursday to discuss the plans. 

Place North West reported that Placefirst was working up proposals for the site in March 2019. At that time, the developer was working with architect MCAU. 

Other developments being delivered as part of Bolton’s £1.5bn town centre masterplan include Beechline’s £55m Trinity Gateway project; an 87-bedroom hotel at Bolton Le Mans, and a £150m scheme to revamp Church Wharf, by Muse Developments. 

There is also the £250m mixed-use scheme on the site of the former Crompton Place Shopping Centre being delivered by Bolton Regeneration, a joint venture between construction firm Beijing Construction Engineering Group International and regeneration specialist Midia.