NEW plans for homes in Bolton town centre were revealed this week.

The story caused a lot of debate on The Bolton News site and on our Facebook page.

The plan for a huge apartment block and townhouse 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 decision on the application could be made by the end of this month.

Here's what you said about it.

Citizenofegerton: But who will be living in them? Isn’t this just part of a grand plan to turn Bolton town centre into one big student campus?

BWFCborn&bred: This needs to happen. The town centre is dying and new life needs to be injected. New places to live will boost the town centre.

Vespasian: Bolton town centre as we know it will end up tiny, most of it will be a residential area inhabited by the usual folk.

Cherryblosom21: Good links to Manchester, Bury, Wigan and more close by. So you don’t need a town centre. When Primark moves around 25per cent of the footfall will follow.

Vacavillan: 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 at least there's one person who still has some common sense. Bolton isn't, and will never be, a town that is modern and hi-tech. That's not a bad thing either. Build and design to the character and history of the town. Just because a building on the outdoor looks retro and historic, doesn't mean the inside has to be cold, dark and damp.

Which would you rather live in? A futurist modernist glass box with wide and expansive views of Bradford St, Trinity St and the folks wobbling down Bradshaw Gate after a few pints in the Alma or a retro style apartment with design that harks back to the mills of the area: open brickwork, tall vaulted ceilings but with the comforts and amenities of modern life.

 

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