Bolton Town Centre's Riverside Site to See Major Development After Years of Dormancy
Manchester-based developer Watson has taken a significant step towards revitalizing Bolton town centre by submitting plans for a £100m development at the Church Wharf site. The proposal includes 415 new homes, a 130-bedroom hotel, and commercial spaces for bars, restaurants, and shops. This development aims to complement other residential projects in the area, such as Moor Lane and Deansgate Gardens, marking a new chapter for the long-dormant riverside site.
The planning application follows Bolton Council's provisional agreement to sell the land to Watson for a nominal fee of £4 in early 2024, with the project also benefiting from £5m in funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority brownfield housing fund. The development is designed to not only provide much-needed housing but also to enhance the local economy and community life in Bolton.
Rob Watson, director of Watson, expressed enthusiasm about the project's potential to transform Bolton town centre. "Church Wharf is not just about new buildings, it's about revitalizing Bolton town centre with much-needed housing, dynamic commercial and leisure spaces, together with a hotel that will bolster the local economy, enhancing the lives of the community," he said. The development is set to be built in four phases, with 12 new blocks planned.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for Bolton, promising to bring new life to a key area of the town centre that has awaited development for years. With the support of local authorities and the community, the Church Wharf project could set a new standard for urban regeneration in the region.
