Bulldozers have moved in as work on a key cornerstone of Bolton town centre masterplan gets underway to regenerate the area.

A row of vacant single-storey shops is being demolished as part of the Moor Lane scheme in Cheadle Square to develop a mixture of apartments and townhouses in the town centre.

Developer Step Places and social housing provider Bolton at Home, working with Bolton Council, have begun the transformation of the 4.5-acre brownfield site into a mix of 208 new homes, with green spaces and shops.

Bolton: Update set for town centre regeneration masterplan

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, said: “The Moor Lane development is a great example of what Bolton Council’s town centre masterplan will achieve.

“Converting a brownfield site into much needed homes and green space will help make the town centre a more vibrant and inviting place to live, work and visit.

“The scheme will the complemented by other regeneration projects in this part of town including the creation of Elizabeth Park and improvement works to Bolton Market."

As part of the scheme, green spaces will be created and landscaping done as part of the Bolton’s Towns Fund deal.

This is designed to  benefit residents and businesses and create new retail units to complement the newly improved Bolton Market.

The scheme comprises three sites, the largest being the vacant bus station just off Moor Lane. A second site lies to the east of Blackhorse Street and south of the existing Bolton Job Centre and a third, smaller site, lies to the east of Blackhorse Street, and north of the job centre.

The development will also include new cycle paths and better pedestrian routes.

Moor Lane will offer over 82 affordable homes which will be available for rent, shared equity and rent to buy. The remaining 126 homes are a mix of private rented and open market sale. 

The contractor is AEDI Construction.

Harry Dhaliwal, Managing Director of Step Places said: "We are excited to deliver a sustainable, high quality town centre development which will be distinctive in Bolton town centre by bringing modern and sustainable 3 storey houses and apartments for a range of occupiers.

 “Our scheme has been carefully embedded into the wider town centre master plan and will bring extensive benefits to the residents and the businesses of Bolton. The connectivity of the location will allow people to enjoy excellent public transport links into the Greater Manchester boroughs, making Bolton an area of choice for new homeowners."

Dominic Conway, Bolton at Home’s Group Director of Development and Growth, said: “We need to provide more new properties to give more people a warm, comfortable and sustainable home to live in that’s affordable. The new housing also helps people in a wide range of circumstances, which is why we’re developing a broad mix of new homes. This town centre development will create homes and a new sustainable neighbourhood to be proud of. It also generates social value by supporting construction jobs and will boost the local economy.”

Moor Lane is one of six key intervention areas in the Bolton town centre masterplan, with the council establishing a £100m fund to acquire, clear and prepare town centre development sites capable of attracting private sector investment.

The proposal is part of a wider regeneration masterplan across Bolton, which aims to improve public areas, green spaces, and multi-purpose opportunities, create a more attractive environment for everyone to enjoy, and regenerate Bolton in a sustainable way for future generations.