Bolton Council has agreed a deal with social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC – the stars of BBC2 documentary Manctopia – to redevelop the former market precinct in Farnworth town centre. The plans will see the site transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use community based on the developer’s neighbourhood housing concept. It will
The plans for the design of Bolton’s first purpose-built, multi-generational Build to Rent (BTR) urban village, have been unveiled. Developer Placefirst aims to transform Central Street car park in the town centre into the new £27.5 million development. “Bolton Council has set out an ambitious vision for the town centre
Following two successful drop-in sessions, the deadline for views on a £150 million development in Bolton’s Church Wharf is fast approaching. Muse Developments proposes to build around 320 homes on the Canary Wharf site, located alongside the River Croal and between St Peters Way (A666), Bank Street, Manor Street and
Bolton Council has agreed a deal with social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC – the stars of BBC2 documentary Manctopia – to redevelop the former market precinct in Farnworth town centre. The plans will see the site transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use community based on the developer’s neighbourhood housing concept. It will include over 200 modern homes centred around a new public square for artisan markets, live events and more. The plans also include a new flexible space for community uses and events, with a village hall feel, which could host vintage fairs, art galleries, and pop up gin bars. It will also see a linear park and spaces for café-bars, delis, a mini-cinema, gym and co-working. Located on King Street in the heart of the town centre, 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. Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said: “This is about rebooting and modernising the market town. By creating 200 new homes around the square, we’re bringing life, and spending power, back to the town centre, so it’ll have its own ecosystem. We’re looking to attract the region’s best artists, makers and indie operators to set up home here. “If you jump on a train you can be in Manchester in less than 20 minutes, so we see this rivalling the city centre with the same quality homes but affordable to more people from young professionals to downsizers. All surrounded by an incredible public square, plenty of trees and loads of places to hang out.” Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Martyn Cox, added: “It’s great to see such exciting development plans for Farnworth town centre. Capital & Centric have a fantastic track record of not just creating buildings but communities for people to live, work and socialise in, which is what is needed to transform Farnworth town centre and make it more vibrant, attractive for visitors and fit for the future.” Chair of the Farnworth steering group, Cllr Paul Sanders, said: “This is real progress and what we’ve been waiting for. The delivery of the key development proposals in the masterplan is vital for Farnworth and the plans proposed by Capital & Centric are welcomed. Our ambition is to rejuvenate the town centre and bring in new community facilities for our residents. We are looking forward to sharing the plans with Farnworthians, Kearsleyites and our partners.” Bolton Council has purchased the Market Precinct from St Modwen and entered into an agreement with CAPITAL&CENTRIC to progress the long-awaited redevelopment of this major site. CAPITAL&CENTRIC is planning to launch a public consultation on the plans, which are being designed by architects BDP, in the new year. This is CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s first project in Bolton, following other town centre schemes in Stockport and Rochdale being announced earlier this year. The developer is famed for its high quality and bold designs and focus on creating a positive social impact. Farnworth reached the second phase of the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, a multi-million pound pot of cash set up to make high streets fit for the future. The council submitted a business case in June 2020 and is waiting to hear whether the £19m bid has been successful. The additional funds would help in the delivery of a number of key development projects identified in the Farnworth town centre masterplan. Farnworth is also one of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s Town Centre challenge areas.
The plans for the design of Bolton’s first purpose-built, multi-generational Build to Rent (BTR) urban village, have been unveiled. Developer Placefirst aims to transform Central Street car park in the town centre into the new £27.5 million development. “Bolton Council has set out an ambitious vision for the town centre and we are excited to be working with such a forward-thinking local authority. We have developed our plans for Central Street with the wider town centre framework in mind and are confident our proposals will reflect that ambition. Having cut our teeth delivering complex refurbishment projects in regeneration areas, Bolton represents an important new milestone for Placefirst as our first major town centre new-build BTR community,” commented David Smith-Milne, managing director of Placefirst. The village consists of four blocks that include a mix of circa 200 homes – family town houses, downsized apartments, and a choice of one and two-bedroom apartments. The properties will be joined by up to 15,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and a range of ground floor commercial units. In addition, an outdoor art gallery is also being considered for the development. The overall scheme, designed with MCAU architects, will complement the historic fabric of Bolton centre through a mix of medium-rise buildings set out to create a network of people-friendly streets, squares and courtyards. This is the latest in a series of announcements as part of Bolton Council’s £1.2 billion masterplan to redevelop the town centre. “This project will show that town centre, urban living isn’t just for young people living in boring apartments. Through good design and excellent placemaking, schemes such as this will appeal to families, downsizers and the elderly, living together in a genuinely multi-generational community,” said David Smith-Milne. “As a build-to-rent developer and landlord, Placefirst put the end-user at the forefront of our designs, ensuring we deliver great homes complimented by attractive amenity spaces that bring communities together. Central Street embraces this thinking through the creation of a new residential neighbourhood characterised by human scale urban design and an engaging public realm strategy,” he added. A planning application will be submitted later this year and, subject to approval, Placefirst aims to start work on site by early 2020 with in-house contractor, Placefirst Construction.
Following two successful drop-in sessions, the deadline for views on a £150 million development in Bolton’s Church Wharf is fast approaching. Muse Developments proposes to build around 320 homes on the Canary Wharf site, located alongside the River Croal and between St Peters Way (A666), Bank Street, Manor Street and Folds Road. “Having over 300 local residents come and engage with our consultation on Church Wharf is very encouraging. Church Wharf is a really important development for Bolton. It’s the first site to come forward under the Council’s ambitious town centre strategy and we are grateful for everyone who has shared their views on the proposals with us. The consultation period remains open, and I would encourage local residents who are yet to have their say on Church Wharf to provide feedback on the project website,” commented David Burkinshaw of Muse Developments. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, the new homes will include townhouses and apartments aimed at young people, first-time buyers and families. Further plans for the site include a new hotel, commercial offices and leisure and retail opportunities, such as a café, convenience store or bar/restaurant. The development will help improve the area around the river, with plans also in place to construct a new footbridge linking the site to Bank Street. Hundreds of local residents viewed the plans at the public sessions, as part of a consultation process, with over 95% of visitors who completed feedback forms at the drop-in event having said they agreed with plans to develop Church Wharf. “We are delighted with how the consultation has gone and the response from the community,” said Councillor Ebrahim Adia, Deputy Leader of Bolton Council. “This is the first major scheme in our masterplan where developers have revealed detailed proposals for the site. The Church Wharf plans will transform a key gateway into Bolton that needs attention and care, and we are backing the scheme through our wider £100 million investment.” Local residents can still have their say on the consultation website, with the consultation remaining open until Friday 8th February.
