Designs have been unveiled for Bolton's first purpose-built, multi-generational Build to Rent (BTR) urban village.

Developer Placefirst aims to transform Central Street car park in the town centre into the new £27.5 million development.

Comprising four blocks, the village will include a mix of circa 200 homes including family town houses, downsized apartments, and a choice of one and two-bedroom apartments. The properties will be joined by up to 15,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and a range of ground floor commercial units.

An outdoor art gallery is also being considered for the development.

The overall scheme, designed with MCAU architects, will 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.

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This is the latest in a series of announcements as part of Bolton Council's £1.2 billion masterplan to redevelop the town centre.

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.

"Having cut our teeth delivering complex refurbishment projects in regeneration areas, Bolton represents an important new milestone for Placefirst as our first major town centre new-build BTR community.

"This project will show that town centre, urban living isn't just for young people living in boring apartments. Through good design and excellent placemaking, schemes such as this will appeal to families, downsizers and the elderly, living together in a genuinely multi-generational community.

"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."

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.

(CM/JG)