Business Bolton

Church Wharf

Welcome to the Church Wharf Bolton development homepage.

In 2007, the council held a competition to select a development partner to deliver the council's objectives for the comprehensive, mixed-use regeneration of the Church Wharf Key Development Opportunity Area within Bolton town centre initially set out in a development brief supported by Building Bolton.

In Spring 2007 a joint venture between ASK Developments and Bluemantle was selected on the strength of their proposal for a major mixed-use leisure, office and residential development.

ASK and Bluemantle recognised that Bolton is delivering a major transformation that could ultimately lead to the attainment of city status. At the time ASK Chief Executive, Ken Knott, described bolton as "a city in waiting..."

The joint venture described the transformation of Church Wharf as pivotal in determining whether Bolton can achieve these aspirations. The proposals seek to transform Church Wharf into a dynamic and thriving mixed-use neighbourhood characterised by high quality architecture and public spaces that any city would be proud of.

The content and style of the development will be capable of attracting the type of quality occupiers and outlets that would significantly boost the image of Bolton and create widespread belief in the transformation of Bolton town centre already underway.
The masterplan, led by award-winning architects Carey Jones, briefly comprises:

• A vibrant leisure zone providing restaurant and café bar units creating a destination for diners throughout the day and evening with a 5/6 screen town centre cinema
• An 126 bedroom hotel
• A business quarter comprising over 340,000sqft grade a office space in a number of buildings 
• A community of 234 family houses and apartments 
• Complementary retail accommodation 
• A series of new pedestrian routes and intimate public places which uses high quality public realm to create a real sense of place in a calm, green waterside setting
• A sustainable development incorporating the very highest quality of design and whose environmental credentials will be market leading

Supplementary Planning Document

The Church Wharf Development Brief was formally adopted by Bolton council as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 29th February 2008.

The Development Brief provides design guidance for the redevelopment of the Church Wharf area of Bolton town centre and expands on policies in the Bolton Unitary Development Plan 2005. the SPD does not have the same status as a Development Plan Document but it will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The SPD has been prepared to guide the development of the Church Wharf area. It provides guidance on the planning policies relating to this site, the factors that will constrain any development and the appropriate mix of uses. Design guidance has been drawn from ‘Building Bolton' the local distinctiveness study for Bolton town centre. The SPD stresses the need for the comprehensive redevelopment of the area.

Planning Application

The land assembly process has begun and it is anticipated that much of the land can be purchased by negotiation however in order to achieve the comprehensive redevelopment of Church Wharf, the council will consider promoting a compulsory purchase order to consolidate ownership of the land should one be required. 

Subject to all necessary approvals, and in the event that a compulsory purchase order is required, the current anticipated start date for the first phases of the development is April 2011.

Ways to get in touch

For more information, contact Jonathan Berry, Development Manager on 01204 336036 or email at jonathan.berry@bolton.gov.uk