Outline planning permission for a £44m ‘gateway to Bolton’ Bradshawgate development for 269 new homes including a 16-storey tower block has been granted.

Yorkshire-based Empire Property received approval to bring the development forward at a planning committee meeting on Thursday.

This is the third major development for Empire in Bolton following the development of Sun Alliance House on Bradshawgate and Globe Works, which is due to be completed by this December.

The site is bounded by Bradshawgate, Bridgeman Place, Carlton Street and Breightmet Street and used to house the Williams BMW car showroom and the the Copyplan building,

The scheme comprises a residential tower of 16 storeys at the junction of Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place. with two adjoining blocks of six and eight storeys each.

Of the 16 townhouses, five will have one bedroom while 11 will be two-bedroom homes.

The 253 apartments break down to 109 one-bedroom units, 120 two-bedroom units, and 24 three-bedroom homes.

The scheme also includes 55 car parking spaces across two car parks and, for residents, 300 spaces of secure cycle parking.

Commercial and retail space is also planned at ground floor level for the Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place frontages of the development.

Ground works are expected to start in June 2023 after more detailed plans are put before councillors later this year.

The committee heard that the design and aesthetics of the detailed project are likely to replicate in some way the textile mill buildings which once stood in the area.

Speaking about his company’s developments in Bolton, Empire managing director, Paul Rothwell, said: “This is a great scheme for Bolton and our third development, supporting the council with much-needed housing stock.

“The support and assistance of Bolton Council has been especially welcomed as a number of schemes that have been approved have not been developed out by the developers.

“This is a substantial gateway site and through our ongoing investment we have kick-started the regeneration of this part of Bolton.

“Now that we have the opportunity to develop the site, we will start work on the reserved matters application with a view to getting it approved this year.

“We look forward to extending the reach of the town centre and creating a new community.”