Business Bolton

Bolton Mills Action Framework

The Bolton Mills Action Framework refreshes and replaces earlier strategies to guide and facilitate development and investment in the mills in order to address new challenges including:

• Ageing assets
• Declining demand from traditional large floor plate users
• Development competition for higher value land uses
• Reduced public sector financial support availability

The Bolton Mills Action Framework, developed jointly with the Strategic Economic Partnership, was informed by an intensive period of survey, research and consultation.  It identifies seven key objectives and a series of tasks to deliver progress. These include: recognising the value of Bolton’s mills; conserving the best of Bolton’s industrial heritage; maximising Bolton’s available employment space; preserving local distinctiveness and aiming to ensure the mills are an asset to their local communities.

Each year, the council will prioritise action, which will be expressed in a clear delivery plan as our commitment to bring about change in this important policy area.

One of the main actions from the Mills Action Framework was the assessment and prioritisation of all 108 mills that remain standing in Bolton. The mills have been assessed on their heritage, regeneration and economic value by:

• Council Officers in planning, conservation, economic development, business liaison, inward investment and regeneration
• Discussions held with various mill owners who have contacted the council to discuss the future of their mill have fed into the rationale behind the consideration by Council Officers;
• Members of the local community within which the mills sit via a series of area based focus groups, community group meetings and an online questionnaire
• Ward Members

These results will inform future planning policy and will help the council and its partners to focus current and future support.  The Annual Mills Newsletter will keep you updated on the Bolton Mills Action Framework and can be downloaded below.

Ways to get in touch

For more information, contact Phil Lamb on 01204 336136 or email at phil.lamb@bolton.gov.uk