Watson advances Creams Mill vision 

The Salford-based housebuilder and contractor has submitted plans for 274 homes across two sites connected by the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal in Little Lever. 

Watson Homes launched a consultation on proposals for 297 homes in September but the scheme has since been scaled back slightly. 

The majority of the homes, a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedrooms, would be built on two plots close to the River Irwell; the former Creams Paper Mill, and a smaller parcel next to a disused section of the canal off Mytham Road.  

Creams Mill opened in 1677 and closed in 2004. It was then demolished in 2011. 

A second site, located further to the west off Hall Lane, would also take advantage of a section of the disused canal, providing waterside apartments and houses. 

A significant part of the proposed development would see the restoration of a 700-metre stretch of the canal that has been closed since 1936, which would connect the Hall Lane and Creams Mill sites.

The canal restoration work could also include the reopening of Nob End Locks.

Little Lever Watson Homes

The former Creams Mill was demolished in 2011

Watson bought the sites earlier in 2020 from a private landowner and has approached housing association partners Great Places Housing Group and Bolton at Home to discuss the delivery of affordable housing for the scheme. 

The project will provide 89% affordable housing, according to Watson.

P4 Planning is the planning consultant for the project and TDAW Architects is leading on design.

Rob Watson, director at Watson Homes, said: “Our ambitious vision for the regeneration of Creams Mill and Hall Lane has always put the people of Little Lever first. We aim to transform these two sites to create a thriving canal-side community for everyone to enjoy.” 

Gillian Worden, associate at P4 Planning, said: “This has been a fascinating and challenging project to finally regenerate the former Creams Mill site which has been vacant since 2004.” 

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Little Britain Anglers, Is there going to be an overflow system put on the canal to take away the duckweed and dregging done to improve the canal, also work to repair the stone walls, also better access for the communities already living on the estate and has there been a survey of the public who live on the estate to take on how they feel about more houses? Is the breach on the canal going to be fixed, and ladyshore connected? And is there going to be open spaces for extra parking for visitors to the canal?

By Eric Owen

This is a very good plan as long as there is still good access and parking for walkers, hikers and anglers etc. It would be nice to see so,e kind of communication and/or cooperation between Watson Homes, the MBBCS and Bolton and Salford councils to bring water back to the breached and infilled sections of the canal.

By Graham Stewart

Leave our green belt alone 😔

By Andrew

No to any more developments killing the countryside

By Paul mcguinness

What a great development this would be…it would clean up the very neglected canal…and open it up and give the area some life…Bring it on…

By Clive W

If Watsons were made to complete all their promises to fix the Breach and remove all the waste (which I believe is a 2 or 3 foot depth of old pulp) from the Breach to the Bridge. Then they would withdraw their appeal. I don’t belive that they agreed to do the locks. That would require double the amount they are willing to pay. Little Lever doesn’t need more housing. Traffic conjestion and pollution is already a major concern. The canal goes nowhere. It stops at Hall Lane, Radcliffe and Ringley. 132 more homes are currently being built on the Crowthers brickwork site. Stop the madness!!!!!!

By Anonymous

I agree with every word we don’t need it just for the council to tidy up the site and leave the green belt green . “If Watsons were made to complete all their promises to fix the Breach and remove all the waste (which I believe is a 2 or 3 foot depth of old pulp) from the Breach to the Bridge. Then they would withdraw their appeal. I don’t belive that they agreed to do the locks. That would require double the amount they are willing to pay. Little Lever doesn’t need more housing. Traffic conjestion and pollution is already a major concern. The canal goes nowhere. It stops at Hall Lane, Radcliffe and Ringley. 132 more homes are currently being built on the Crowthers brickwork site. Stop the madness!

By Anonymous

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