Placefirst has unveiled its vision to transform a key site in Bolton Council’s town centre masterplan, the town’s first urban village
Central Street car park, which lies in the Croal Valley area, is set to be transformed in a £27.5m development with the town’s first purpose-built, multi-generational BTR urban village. The scheme will comprise four blocks designed around a network of pedestrian priority streets, courtyards, rooftop terraces and resident gardens.
Designed to appeal to young and old, the scheme proposes a diverse mix of circa 200 homes including family town houses, downsizer apartments, and a choice of one and two-bedroom apartments.
Working with MCAU architects, the scheme has been designed to complement the historic fabric of Bolton centre through a mix of medium-rise buildings set out to create a network of people-friendly streets, squares and courtyards.
The site is bounded to the north by the River Croal and, in partnership with Bolton Council, Placefirst will explore options to enhance the riverside environment as part of wider council strategy to improve pedestrian links along the river.
A planning application will be submitted later this year and, subject to approval, Placefirst aims to start work on site by early 2020 with in-house contractor, Placefirst Construction.
David Smith-Milne, managing director of Placefirst, commented: “Bolton Council has set out an ambitious vision for the town centre and we are excited to be working with such a forward-thinking local authority.
“We have developed our plans for Central Street with the wider town centre framework in mind and are confident our proposals will reflect that ambition.
“As a build-to-rent developer and landlord, Placefirst put the end-user at the forefront of our designs, ensuring we deliver great homes complimented by attractive amenity spaces that bring communities together.
“Central Street embraces this thinking through the creation of a new residential neighbourhood characterised by human scale urban design and an engaging public realm strategy.”
