Church Wharf, Bolton Town Centre

P4 Planning has successfully secured unanimous approval for the landmark regeneration of Church Wharf, Bolton, on behalf of Watson Homes.

The hybrid application will transform a prominent and long-derelict site in Bolton Town Centre into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood. The masterplan includes over 400 much-needed homes, a 130-bedroom hotel, up to 1,350 sqm of commercial space for shops, cafés and offices, together with extensive new landscaping, riverside public realm, and pedestrian and cycle links along the River Croal.

This once-in-a-generation scheme is of strategic importance as a key gateway to the town centre. It will deliver wide-ranging economic, social, and environmental benefits, supporting Bolton’s growth as a regional centre and within the wider Greater Manchester city region. The scheme has also attracted both public and private investment, underlining its significance and deliverability.

The scheme presented several key challenges:

o Heritage and design – achieving a design that responds sensitively to the setting of adjacent listed buildings, while creating a contemporary, vibrant neighbourhood

o Flood risk – the site lies within Flood Zone 3, requiring detailed negotiations with the Environment Agency, a robust flood escape strategy, and incorporation of flood-resilient design measures

o Landscaping and public realm – delivering extensive riverside public realm improvements and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), balancing ecological enhancement with high-quality placemaking

P4 Planning acted as project managers, coordinating the multi-disciplinary consultant team and ensuring a robust planning strategy. Our role included:

· Running consultation and engagement with stakeholders and members of the public

· Preparing the Planning Statement and Statement of Community Involvement

· Managing technical consultants and the submission process

· Driving resolution of all technical matters raised by consultees

· Supporting the client team through engagement with officers and stakeholders

· Representing the Applicant at Planning Committee, where the scheme received unanimous approval

This milestone follows two decades of stalled regeneration attempts on the site. With initial demolition works already complete, the approval now unlocks a deliverable and viable proposal that will bring lasting transformation to Bolton Town Centre.