A HUGE apartment block and townhouse plan for Bolton town centre, a key part of the town’s regeneration project, has been revised to include fewer properties.

Empire Property Concepts Ltd submitted plans in October last year to build 394, mostly one bedroom, flats on the empty land on the junction of Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place.

The site is located in the Trinity Quarter and is directly opposite to the Trinity Gateway Project, which was approved late last year, including a 20-storey tower multi-storey car park and luxury hotel, made up of 144 apartments.

It is also very close to the ‘Globe Works’ development for 150 luxury flats in Bridgeman Street.

However, the plans have now been revised to include 269 apartments instead of the original 394, including one ‘distinct’ tower 16 storeys in height.

As well as the flats, commercial units are intended to be created, with residents' car parking and ‘public realm and landscaping’ for green space.

The various blocks will now include 16 townhouses with 109 one bedroom, 120 two bedroom, and 24 three bedroom properties.

A planning statement from the developers said: “This development proposal offers the opportunity to re-develop a vacant brownfield site which is situated in a highly sustainable location. The delivery of this proposal will help to support the regeneration of both the Trinity Quarter and Bolton town centre and will bring tangible regenerative benefits to the surrounding area.

“The Bradshawgate scheme demonstrates a highly accessible urban solution that positively contributes to the continuous evolution of the city and public realm.”

This development is part of a wider regeneration of that area, with many other developments currently underway or in the process of being submitted.

At the time of the original application, Cllr Martyn Cox, deputy leader of Bolton Council and head of regeneration said: “Lots of companies have come forward with big developments for Bolton in this area which can only be a good thing.”

However, Stuart Whittle, chairman of the Bolton and District Civic Trust spoke out against the plans, writing to The Bolton News: “I can’t help wondering if Bolton Council has ‘lost the plot’ when it comes to promoting the town centre’s regeneration.

“So far, the people of Bolton have given their support in principle to its efforts to broaden the appeal of the centre with a greater emphasis on residential accommodation, but nowhere have we expressed a desire for (or even been consulted on) the idea of re-introducing high-rise living.

“This smacks of desperation not town planning and it will be to the long term detriment of our town.”

A decision on the application could be made by the end of this month.