Plans to transform Farnworth’s market precinct into a vibrant town centre community have taken another step forward, with the release of a new image by ‘social impact developer’ Capital&Centric.
A detailed planning application for the vision has now been submitted to Bolton Council, following the approval of outline plans back in September 2021. If approved, work is expected to start on site this summer, backed in part by the Government’s ‘Future High Street Fund’.
The application by the Manchester-based regeneration specialist seeks to create a mixed use neighbourhood, surrounded by new green public spaces. Capital&Centric is planning a range of design-led housing, including 85 one and two bedroom apartments alongside family homes, including six two-bedroom properties and six three-bedroom homes.
Farnworth town centre will be rebooted with over 20,000 sqft of space for bars, cafés and independent stores. Plans also feature a community hub on the ground floor.
Images show how the coffee shops and stores will spill out onto a bustling square, with green spaces for residents and the surrounding community to hang out. A planned events pavilion will support outdoor community events to bring people to the neighbourhood, such as maker’s markets, pop-up art galleries, foodie gatherings and live music.
Lush landscaping will bring the space to life, with the public spaces framing the design-led homes, set to all include cycle storage. Pedestrian links through the community will also connect Brackley Street and King Street, making it easier for residents and visitors to get around and explore the town centre by bike or on foot.
“There’s a real buzz about the plans for Farnworth and it’s brilliant to hit the ground running in 2022 with submission of the detailed plans,” says Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric. “It’s all part of a renaissance of Greater Manchester’s towns as places to live, as well as dine out or shop.
“So that Farnworth becomes a proper neighbourhood, we’ve made sure it’s packed with features that we know from experience help foster community spirit… be it the mix of family homes as well as apartments, the community hub or the flexible green spaces for Sunday socials.
“We think Farnworth will challenge the perception of town centre living and set the blueprint for how to reinvigorate centres that have traditionally relied heavily on footfall from shoppers.”
The King Street site is a short walk from the train station with easy access into Bolton and Manchester. It’s also on the doorstep of the refurbished bus station, making it an ideal location for commuters.
The submission of the detailed planning application drives forward Bolton Council’s vision to transform Farnworth town centre and comes following extensive consultation with the community. It will help deliver the town centre masterplan adopted by Bolton Council in 2019, which includes plans to redevelop the market precinct. Farnworth is also one of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s Town Centre Challenge locations.
Cllr Martyn Cox, the Leader of Bolton Council, said: "It’s great to see Capital&Centric’s plans progressing and taking shape following detailed consultation with Farnworth stakeholders and residents. This mixed-use development offers something for all ages with new homes, community hub, leisure facilities and green space, Farnworth will be transformed creating a real community in the heart of the town.”
Co-founded by Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins, Capital&Centric currently has five projects totaling £500m under construction which employ over 650 people. It spends on average £2 million a week on regeneration and projects include KAMPUS (a joint venture with HBD), DUCIE STREET WAREHOUSE (co-living and co-working in Manchester), 275 bed LEONARDO HOTEL in Manchester Piccadilly East, and SWAN STREET (118 home mixed-use community in Manchester’s New Cross district – being delivered in partnership with Kamani Property Group).
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