DEVELOPERS are now on site in the town centre to transform 4.5 acres of a brownfield site into a mix of 208 new homes, green spaces and shops.

Step Places and social housing provider Bolton at Home, working with Bolton Council, have begun work on the Moor Lane scheme, where they will develop a mixture of apartments and townhouses.

The scheme brings enhanced green spaces and significant landscaping to the town centre, as part of Bolton’s Towns Fund deal.

This will benefit residents and businesses, and create new retail units to compliment the newly improved Bolton Market.

The proposal focuses on three sites, the largest being the vacant bus station just off Moor Lane. Two more sites lie to the east of Black Horse Street.

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

Moor Lane will offer more than 80 affordable homes, available for rent, shared equity and rent to buy. The remaining 126 homes are a mix of private rented and open market sale.

Cllr Martyn Cox, council leader, said: “The Moor Lane development will bring much needed new high-quality homes, green spaces and public spaces to Bolton.

"The benefits this development brings to our town are great, both to boost our local economy and create a new neighbourhood in the heart of Bolton."

Harry Dhaliwal, Step Places managing director, said: "Our scheme has been carefully embedded into the wider town centre master plan and will drive wider benefits for the residents and businesses of Bolton.

"The connectivity of the location will allow people to benefit from excellent public transport to the wider Greater Manchester boroughs making Bolton an area of choice for new homeowners."

Jon Lord, Bolton at Home chief executive, added: "Working in partnership with Step Places will allow us to deliver a unique offering to the people of Bolton.

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 plan's aim 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.