A MASSIVE new town centre residential development is set to transform the Deansgate area of Bolton town centre.
The six-storey block with 145 homes and commercial space is planned for land bound by the River Croal, Ridgeway Gates and Brook Street to the East, Deansgate and Central Street.
The intention by developers: Placefirst is also to create a new public square.
Among the features in the potential development are a courtyard, roof gardens for some properties and a communal ‘yoga terrace’.
Planning documents were lodged with Bolton Council earlier this month and a statement by Maddox planning on behalf of developers sets out their intentions.
It said: “The proposed development comprises apartments and commercial floorspace fronting Deansgate, which also has frontage to a new public square.
“Terraces of stacked townhouses and a number of additional apartments run north south from the River Croal to the new public square to the rear of the block fronting Deansgate.
“The plans also include demolition of existing buildings, new commercial floorspace, public square, stopping up of highway including Palatine Street, car parking and hard and soft landscaping and improvement to the River Croal embankment.”
The application site is currently a surface car park and a row of former commercial premises opposite the former Whittakers/Beales store on Deansgate and includes the former Blue Boar pub.
Maddox said all of the residential units are for build to rent and comprise of 145 new homes, ranging in size from a studio apartment and one-bed apartments to three bedroom townhouses.
The document summarised the principal benefits of the proposal as ‘brownfield regeneration of a key redevelopment site within Bolton town centre that is currently under-utilised’ and ‘a new and exciting housing offer for Bolton and its central area in the form of build to rent stacked townhouses and apartments’.
Placefirst said it had has worked with Bolton Council and other stakeholders for the past two years on the design of the site.
The developer has also put its proposals to a number of independent design review panels and held discussions with the Civic Trust and local stakeholders.
David Mawson, chief executive for Placefirst, said: “Our vision for this Central Street development is much more than just bricks and mortar and is about creating a thriving community in the heart of Bolton.
“We’ve a proven track-record of regenerating areas and turning them into places people love to live, so am extremely excited about the transformation we’ll make to the town centre through this ambitious development.”
Deputy leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Martyn Cox, said: “Croal Valley is a key site in Bolton Council’s £1bn town centre masterplan and PlaceFirst’s plans are set to transform what it means to live in Bolton town centre with the focus on high quality residential properties and attractive public spaces making it a more desirable place to live and work.
“These plans show that developers have confidence in Bolton despite the challenges from the coronavirus pandemic and demonstrates the commitment that investors are prepared to make.”
The application will be decided on by councillors in the new year.
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