Halliwell Business Park events venue plans to be decided on

Bolton Council will decide on plans to convert two Halliwell Business Park units into an events venue in a planning meeting on Thursday (July 9).

The proposed site, Units 42 and 43 at Halliwell Industrial Estate on Rossini Street, would be converted from their current industrial use into what has been described as a “specialist events venue and community facility.”

The application, submitted by Mr Shabbir Amka and represented by agent Mr Colm McLoone, details a scheme to accommodate up to 350 people and host conferences, exhibitions and community events.

The venue will have a capacity of up to 350 (Image: Walker Design)

The planning statement submitted by the applicant said: "In accordance with the submitted Noise Management Scheme (March 2026), the venue will be subject to strict operational controls.

"This includes a total prohibition on external drumming and the use of outdoor pyrotechnics or fireworks.

"Furthermore, all windows and doors will remain closed during events to ensure no noise breakout at the site boundary."

The proposal includes physical changes to the building’s front elevation, with a new canopy, updated frontage, and access ramps to improve accessibility.

Internally, the layout would be reconfigured to include a dedicated prayer room, formal washing facilities, a lounge, and a high-capacity kitchen.

The venue would operate from 6pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, until midnight on Fridays, and from 11am to midnight on Saturdays.

On Sundays and bank holidays, it would open from 11am to 11pm.

A total of 175 spaces would be made available across the Halliwell Mills site during events, managed via a Section 106 legal agreement.

This comprises 96 formal bays and 79 additional managed spaces.

A transport statement, parking plan, odour assessment, and a noise impact assessment have all been submitted in support of the application.

Bolton Council’s highway engineers have accepted the transport proposals and raised no objections.

However, public response has been mixed.

Plans have been submitted (Image: Walker Design)

The council received 24 letters of objection, 36 proforma objections, and a petition with 70 signatures, with the majority of concerns focused on noise and late-night disturbance.

One objector wrote: "The associated noise, smells, fireworks, music and numbers of people, cars and associated pollution is extremely worrying and totally at odds with what should be a quiet residential area."

Others raised concerns about traffic, congestion, and the potential for anti-social behaviour.

Residents also questioned the potential for overspill parking into neighbouring streets.

Officers acknowledged the concerns but noted that the site’s historic industrial use is currently unrestricted in operating hours and could already generate significant noise and traffic without planning controls.

Pollution control officers reviewed the noise and odour assessments and found them to be acceptable, provided recommended mitigation measures are put in place.

Councillors were also reminded that the site is within a former textile mill complex that already accommodates a mix of uses, including doggy day care and a dance studio.

Unit 41, immediately adjacent to the proposed venue, is currently used as a conference and banqueting facility.

Officers concluded that the proposal would bring social and economic benefits by providing a new community facility and increasing employment, with 15 staff expected to be employed compared to the six previously employed under its industrial use.

The report stated that subject to conditions and legal agreements covering noise management and parking, the scheme is compliant with the development plan.