A huge housing proposal including a 16-storey town centre apartment block is to go before planners this week.
Empire Property Concepts wants to build 269 homes, mostly apartments, on land bounded by Bradshawgate, Bridgeman Place, Carlton Street and Breightmet Street in Bolton town centre.
A report to Bolton Council’s planning committee, who are set to vote on the proposals on Thursday, show a residential tower of 16 storeys at the junction of Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place with two adjoining blocks of six and eight storeys each.
There would be two blocks either side of Shiffnall Street, fronting Bradshawgate, which would be six storeys tall.
Commercial and retail space is shown at ground floor level for the Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place frontages of the development.
An executive summary published by planning officers in Bolton, said: “Outline planning permission is sought for a primarily residential development of up to 269 units.
“The application also proposes new public realm improvements to the surrounding highways and a public square.
“At up to 269 dwellings, the proposed development has the potential to make a significant contribution to the council’s housing supply shortfall at a time of continuing under supply.”
The northern part of the site shares its block with office development Caroline House and the southern part of the site shares its block with an undeveloped, unsightly parcel of land fronting Carlton Street.
The two sites have been cleared of all buildings,. It formerly contained the Williams BMW car showroom and the the Copyplan building.
The report added: “All parts of the site show signs of dereliction and neglect and the Bradshawgate, Bridgeman Place junction is particularly unsightly, given its high prominence as a gateway into and out of Bolton town centre.”
Planning officers have recommended approval of the outline plans.
Four objections have been received including a formal response from Bolton & District Civic Trust.
Some of their concerns stated: “The scale and disposition of the scheme put forward smacks loudly of commercial over-development and a desperate bid to stuff the town with as much residential development as possible without due respect to need or mix of demography
“There is insufficient regard to the quality of external space, both private and semi-public, for residents.
“The proposed tower elements would overshadow the north block and imposing a huge verticality on this area.”
