TOWN hall bosses are set to launch a public consultation on plans to redevelop Church Wharf.

Hundreds of homes are planned for the area as part of Bolton Council’s plans for a £1 billion regeneration of the town centre.

The council has now published a detailed strategy for transforming Church Wharf, which had previously been scheduled for a project including a cinema, bars, and restaurants that was scrapped amid the global financial crash.

The document states: “Church Wharf reflects characteristics of much of the edge of the town centre which is environmentally poor, has poor connections to the core area and has significant brownfield opportunity sites and buildings, some having architectural merit.

“It offers a major opportunity for private sector led investment to redevelop the area.

“It is a strategically important site which is vitally important to the economic growth of the town centre and can accommodate mixed uses with a focus on residential development. It is also a key gateway site for people arriving in the centre.”

If approved by Cllr Ebrahim Adia at a meeting on Monday, a six-week public consultation is expected to take place.

A council spokesman added: “The proposed supplementary planning document will guide the regeneration of Church Wharf, which is a key intervention area in our £1 billion town centre masterplan.

“We will consult with key stakeholders and affected businesses - all comments received will be examined before the draft is firmed up and adopted.

“Talks with potential developers and investors are ongoing and progressing well for the Church Wharf area.”