PLANS to revive Farnworth with £50m worth of investment were approved by Bolton Council this morning.

Original plans were submitted last March by Capital and Centric, proposing to build around 220 new homes and 3,200sqm of commercial space with funding from the government’s Future High Streets Fund.

Following  extensive public consultation new plans were approved by councillors at a planning meeting on September 2.

The development will now include 12 family homes which will sit alongside 82 apartments. A new linear park connecting the site and Farnworth Central Park is planned, providing a landscaped green space.

A flexible indoor space for community uses will sit alongside spaces for local businesses for cafés, bars and independent retailers. The developer is also now planning a community pavilion which will be available to hire for events.

Adam Higgins, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said: “We’re chuffed that we’ve got the go ahead to help reboot the town centre with a new mixed community and town centre destination.

"This is our first project in Bolton and the local community have been brilliant in helping us to create a vision that will not only cater to Farnworthians, but will draw in new residents and visitors from across the city-region and beyond.

“This is what regeneration and social impact is all about – we’re breathing new life into a derelict site right in the heart of the town centre. This is an ambitious, design-led mix of homes, communal facilities, buzzing event and culture spots, and tonnes of green and outdoor spaces… a genuine community. We can’t wait to get cracking and pen an exciting new chapter for Farnworth town centre.”

Located on King Street, the site is a short walk from the train station with easy access into Bolton and Manchester, and on the doorstep of the refurbished bus station, making it an ideal location for commuters.

The green light for the plans drives forward Bolton Council’s vision to transform Farnworth town centre into a thriving and desirable place to live, work and visit.

The scheme aims to deliver the town centre masterplan adopted by Bolton Council in 2019, which includes plans to redevelop the market precinct.

Farnworth is also one of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s Town Centre challenge areas.

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Adele Warren, said: “As a council, we are committed to regenerating Farnworth by bringing modern living spaces and business units into the area.

“We developed a masterplan for the town in 2019 and this planning decision brings us a step closer to an exciting and vibrant new development right in the heart of Farnworth."

Capital and Centric will now prepare a detailed planning application that will fix the final design and shape of the scheme, which is expected to be submitted by the end of the year.

If approved, the social impact developer hopes to start construction in in early 2022.