Business Bolton

Public Realm Implementation Framework

The Public Realm Implementation Framework (PRIF) supports the vision for Bolton Town Centre first launched in the 2005 Town Centre Action Framework (TCAF).

High quality public realm is an important part of our strategy to realise the town centre's full economic potential and the PRIF is designed to deliver high quality, vibrant and safe public spaces that will help to attract investment and which can be enjoyed by town centre residents, businesses and visitors alike..Its objectives are to:

• Create a vision for Bolton's public realm
• Ensure consistency of design and quality in the public realm
• Create a more functional and pedestrian friendly environment
• Channel public realm investment effectively
• Provide a context for public realm funding bids and negotiations
• Achieve high standard in design and maintenance

The PRIF sets quality standards that will ensure a continuity of character across the town centre and provide an appropriate setting for high quality architecture and urban design in  new developments. It contains detailed guidelines on carriageway and footway surfacing, street furniture, lighting and soft landscaping.

The PRIF is made up of 3 separate documents:

• Part 1: A vision - establishing good connections and how people get around the town centre
• Part 2: A baseline study - looking at a palette of materials and street furniture that could be used and establishing detailed specifications
• Part 3: An implementation plan - considers costs, priorities and potential delivery methods

An executive summary of the PRIF is available to download below.

Implementation

The PRIF will be delivered via public and private sector investment.  The planning process will require new developments to be designed to deliver appropriate public realm improvements which will be discussed between applicants and relevant council officers at an early (pre-application) stage in order to identify and agree the extent, design and cost of a scheme and the method of delivery.  This could be as an approved scheme implemented by the applicant under a planning condition or as a commuted sum to support the wider delivery of town centre schemes under a Section 106 Legal Agreement. 

The council's cross-departmental Development and Transport Working Group combines regeneration experts with highway engineers, planners and landscape architects to deliver town centre public realm schemes.  Examples to date include improvements to streets, spaces and architectural lighting on Churchgate; St George's Street; Market Street; Corporation Street; Deansgate (part), the Town Hall, Cenotaph and Le Mans Crescent.  Forthcoming phases of work include Bradshawgate and St Peter's Church.  

Ways to get in touch

For more information or to obtain a copy of the PRIF, contact Phil Lamb on 01204 336136 or email at phil.lamb@bolton.gov.uk