Church Wharf development moves forward with 'land sale' plan

The regeneration project at Church Wharf, right alongside the River Croal, has long been in discussion since plans were first approved in 2019.

Now Bolton Council is poised to sell land to Watson Homes, who plan to build a 120 bedroom hotel and more than 400 homes on the site.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “It’s quite an exciting development, Watson Homes are a local Bolton company with very exciting plans for Church Wharf.

“I’m aware that the people of Bolton have had false dawns before but we were let down by previous developers.

The proposed site of the land sale (Image: Bolton Council)

“But we are all vary excited now by the plans that Watson Homes has for Church Wharf.”

He added: “On a broader lever this comes alongside our other plans for the town centre including Crompton Place, so we have to ensure that we as a council maintain our focus on each of these projects.”

Plans for Church Wharf had stalled in recent years after plans but forward by the last development company failed to come to fruition.

A previous plan was put forward by Muse Development (Image: Muse Development)

But in early 2023 demolition work entered its final phase along the River Croal ahead of building work taking place.

In December that year Bolton Council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said he hoped the developer would be able to confirm a developer and share news on the next phase soon.

Land is set to be sold (Image: Newsquest)

Now, a report put before Bolton Council says they now believe that Watson Homes’ hotel and housing proposals are “the most economically advantageous.”

Watson Homes are also behind the Creams Mill development in Little Lever, which aims to build around 200 new homes off Mytham Road and Hall Lane.

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The company’s plan for Church Wharf include 11 blocks of a combination of social and privately rented housing, of varying sizes and a block of commercial units.

The hotel brand is yet to be decided.

The report said: “Delivery of the Watson mixed­ use scheme will deliver significant future benefits in terms of investment, employment opportunity, council tax and business rates income, all of which are key outcomes having regard to the Town Centre strategy and Economic Growth and Resilience Plan.”

The proposal is set to go before Bolton Council’s cabinet next week on Monday March 18.