MORE than 100 new apartments and houses could be built on the fringe of Bolton town centre.

Plans for a mixed residential development next to Queen’s Park, which includes over-50s accommodation, have been submitted.

The properties would be owned by two local registered housing providers, Bolton at Home and Irwell Valley Homes, but the application comes from Salford-based Watson Homes.

The 118 dwellings on a vacant brownfield site in Chorley Street would be made up of 17 houses and three apartment blocks.

Council leader Linda Thomas who represents Halliwell ward where the development would be located welcomed the plans for the the site which she said is an “eyesore” at the moment.

She said: “It will fit the housing needs of the area. It will be a nice site backing onto the town centre. So it’s another group of residents that will help to get the town centre vibrant again.”

The houses would be marketed on a shared ownership basis which means buyers would own a share of the property and pay rent on the rest with the option of buying bigger shares at a later stage.

One block containing 25 apartments would be specifically aimed at residents aged 50 and over.

Meanwhile, the 36 flats in Block B would be for affordable rent, which means it can be marketed at no more than 80 per cent of the local market rate.

The final block containing 40 units is intended for the Rent-to-Buy market, a government scheme aimed to help first-time buyers struggling to purchase their first properties outright.

A total of 93 homes would be provided under the proposal.

The project is being funded by Homes England, a government body which funds new affordable housing in England.

Greater Manchester Police will support the application but asked TADW Architects to address security concerns and recommended a condition requiring the development to achieve Secured by Design accreditation.

Consultant Adrian Murphy said: “The scheme is not well designed from a crime prevention perspective though it will add activity, natural surveillance and interest to this part of Chorley Street.”

The Crime Impact Statement said the residential development seems an appropriate use for the site.

TADW Architects said the recommendations made in the statement have now been incorporated into the scheme.

Rob Watson, director at Watson Homes, said: “Working closely with Bolton at Home and Irwell Valley Homes, we are confident our vision for this development meets the town’s demand for high quality accommodation and will create a new standard of affordable living in a prime, central location.”

Dominic Conway, director of development and growth at Bolton at Home, said: “This is a hugely positive development for Bolton as it brings back into use a derelict site. The other great thing about the scheme is that it’s providing a mix of housing types and tenures to meet local demand for affordable housing.”