THE multi-million pound transformation of Church Wharf has moved a step forward.

Proposals for the run-down area, seen as a key part of Bolton Council’s £1 billion town centre masterplan, are expected to include hundreds of new homes and a new pedestrian route along the River Croal.

The council’s cabinet has now approved the principle of selling the land it owns in the area to prospective developers, should their plans be in line with the council’s objectives for the area. Negotiations with developers interested in the area — stretching from Bank Street along the river and behind Bolton Parish Church — are ongoing, but Church Wharf is expected to be among the first sites developed through the town centre strategy.

Deputy council leader, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, said: “Church Wharf is one of our five key intervention sites and an area of significant strategic importance given its location as a gateway site to the town centre.

“We are looking at all opportunities to redevelop the site and we have been exploring how to achieve our development aims and secure the best result. Approval at cabinet means that the council now has the ability to enable redevelopment, in line with our regeneration aims, and we will continue our negotiations and talks with developers before any firm decisions are made.”