Plans have been unveiled for a £1 billion 'masterplan' to transform Bolton town centre.

The blueprint contains proposals to redevelop the town centre by creating 1,800 new homes, 7,400 new jobs and generating economic activity worth an additional £412 million over five strategic sites.

The document, which will shape Bolton's future up to 2030 and beyond, aims to remodel key areas of the town with housing to attract families, young professionals, older people and students.

International design company BDP was the lead consultant on the strategy. Main proposals include;

• Trinity Quarter – creating a mixed Grade A office and residential development. A new hotel, office block and a multi-storey car park could be built at 'Trinity Gateway'. The council is already in talks with NCP about the car park. A new pedestrian route through Trinity Quarter is also proposed, anchored by open space via four interlinked squares.

• Cheadle Square – developing housing and apartments on the former bus station site. On Queen Street creating student housing and a mixed used development to complement cultural venues such as the Octagon, Museum and Library, and establishing a pedestrian route between the Town Hall and Le Mans Crescent with Queens Park.

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• Crompton Place – the framework envisages transforming the empty BHS store with an upper floor food court overlooking Victoria Square, exploring the possibility to expand Primark and creating a new pedestrian access between Bradshawgate and Hotel Street.

• Church Wharf – Church Wharf would be designated a new town centre 'quarter' with a mix of apartments and town houses, as well as a new pedestrian route along the River Croal.

• Croal Valley/Central Street – opening up the River Croal with an improved environment to make it a town centre feature - proposals include building houses and flats which would overlook the improved river frontage. A series of 'pocket parks' are proposed along the river.

The council has now approved £100m to kickstart the project which will be used for a range of priorities including site assembly; getting sites 'development ready'; public realm, and infrastructure.

With private sector investors funding the remaining costs, the first phase of site clearance is hoped to start in Spring 2018.

Bolton Council Leader Cliff Morris said: "This masterplan shows how forward thinking and ambitious this council really is.

"We now want to get to work as quickly as possible. We are already speaking to a number of developers and partners about delivering the different schemes outlined in the framework.

"Although it is ambitious we are confident that this is an achievable vision that identifies key areas of the town centre, and it will be a game-changer in terms of transforming the centre of Bolton."

(LM)