£44m scheme gets green light

A £44m scheme, which features 269 new homes and commercial retail space in Bolton, has been backed.Yorkshire-based Empire Property has this week received outline planning permission for the Bradshawgate development.Bolton Council recorded a unanimous decision for approval to bring the development forward.This is the third major project for Empire in Bolton following the development of Sun Alliance House on Bradshawgate and Globe Works, due to complete December 2022.Empire partnered with planning consultant Lydia Sadler from DLP Consultants and Michael Sunderland and Mat Best from DMS Architects to realise the scheme.It comprises a residential tower of 16 storeys at the junction of Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place, with two adjoining blocks of six and eight storeys each.Of the 16 townhouses, five will have one bedroom while 11 will be two-bedroom homes. The 253 apartments break down to 109 one-bedroom units, 120 two-bedroom units, and 24 three-bedroom homes.The development also includes 55 car parking spaces across two car parks and, for residents, 300 spaces of secure cycle parking.Commercial and retail space is also planned at ground floor level for the Bradshawgate and Bridgeman Place frontages of the development. Ground works are expected to start in June 2023.