Go ahead for £260m Horwich Vision scheme

A JOINT venture between Bluemantle and Orbit Investments has secured consent for 1,700 homes and 180,000 sq ft of employment space at the former Horwich Locomotive Works near Bolton.

The joint venture, called Horwich Vision, said the plan for the 188-acre site represented a total investment of more than £260m over the next 15 years.

The developers want to preserve a number of former works buildings and build a new access road that will link the site with Horwich Parkway railway station, junction 6 of the M61 and the nearby Middlebrook retail park.

Mark Caldwell of Horwich Vision said: “As one of the largest regeneration schemes ever proposed in the North of England, Rivington Chase will bring significant new benefits to the residents of Horwich and the surrounding area.  We will now work closely with key stakeholders over the next few months to take things to the next stage as soon as possible.”

Bolton Council’s cabinet member for development and regeneration, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: “This is a major regeneration scheme which will mean substantial financial investment of £262m directly into Horwich and the local area. The loco works site is a crucial part of the council’s economic strategy and vision, along with the town centre and the Logistics North.

“This development will generate more jobs for local people and also the building of 1,700 new homes which will help towards satisfying the housing need in the town and across the borough.”

HOW Planning is the retained planning consultant for Horwich Vision and Cass Associates is the master planner.

Conor Vallelly, principal planner at HOW, said: “The council’s decision signifies a new chapter for the Loco Works which will deliver major regeneration benefits to Horwich and the wider borough, injecting significant new investment and the provision of new jobs and homes in a highly sustainable location.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close