Five Bolton housing schemes are in line for a big boost in the form of a multi-million-pound investment from the GM Brownfield Programme.

The programme is part of the devolution deal between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the government last year.

Overall, £150m is available to developments which use brownfield land, a term for developed land which is no longer in use, over three years. Around a fifth of the sum was allocated in year one.

The rest of the sum was allocated at a meeting of the GMCA on Friday with five housing schemes in the borough in line for almost £10m.

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These are two major projects in the town centre – Church Wharf and Trinity Gateway – as well as two major projects in Little Lever and Great Lever and a smaller project in the area of Platt Hill.

The allocations are based on criteria such as affordability, sustainability, and value for money based on the amount of money for the developer relative to the number of homes in the development.

A report reads: "The metrics ensure that schemes that meet a greater number of priorities are scored favourably. 

"This approach allows the grant to be spent on a greater number of schemes (and thus unlocking more homes)."

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The plan for Church Wharf is to be allocated by far the most significant sum, more than £5m, while the plan for Trinity Gateway is to be allocated more than £1m.

The proposal for Little Lever, at Creams Mill, and the proposal for Great Lever, at Roxalina Street, are to receive a similar sum.

The project in the area of Platt Hill is to receive a little less than half a million pounds.

If all of them come to fruition then 500 homes are to be supported by the investment.

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Nick Peel, the leader of Bolton Council, said: "These things are essential because a lot of schemes do not get off the ground without this government intervention.

"Bolton is doing well in this round and I am pleased about this. It puts projects like Church Wharf and Trinity Gateway one step closer and it is a major milestone."

Notably, at Church Wharf, the GMCA lists the developer as Watson Construction. Previously, when planning permission was approved around five years ago, the developer was Muse Developments.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council was not able to confirm the change at this time.

The spokesperson for Bolton Council said: "We continue with plans to develop Church Wharf and this includes bidding to GMCA for additional funding to support brownfield housing development. 

"We are engaged in a positive dialogue ahead of appointing a preferred development partner for this key site. 

"However, this process has not yet concluded and remains subject to decision making. 

"We hope to make a significant announcement in relation to the development of this site in the coming weeks."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.