Green light for major Bolton town centre mixed-use scheme

Bolton Council has approved plans for the £100 million Church Wharf scheme, which is set to transform a large swathe of land in the town centre.

Being developed by regeneration specialist Watson, the project includes a 130-bed hotel, 415 new homes, as well as commercial spaces and retail outlets.

The Church Wharf site has sat dormant for decades and is identified as a key priority within Bolton’s town centre masterplan. The development is supported by £5 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

Leader of Bolton Council, Nick Peel, said: “This is a significant step forward in bringing the work to regenerate Church Wharf to the next stage.

“It is a key development site at a strategic gateway to the town centre, and as work nears completion on projects like Moor Lane and Deansgate Gardens, this marks an exciting new phase in our regeneration masterplan.

“Together with the upcoming demolition of Crompton Place and the recent relocation of Primark, we are now consolidating our retail offer, while introducing the right mix of leisure, hospitality and quality residential spaces across our town centre.”

Construction work is due to start later this year, with a phased completion set to end in 2029.