In addition to the new homes, Bellway will also deliver a large proportion of the northern section of the main link road across the site, connecting the different sections of Rivington Chase to Chorley New Road and to Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich Parkway Railway Station and Junction 6 of the M61.
Planning permission was granted to Lane End Group in March 2021 for another development in the town which will see the 116 affordable homes delivered for Bolton at Home, while Irwell Valley Homes and Morris Homes are currently building 393 homes at the same site – a mix of attached, semi-detached and mews properties as well as six apartments.
Outline permission was granted in 2015 for the Rivington Chase regeneration masterplan which included 1,700 homes and associated retail, leisure and open space on the former industrial site. Bluemantle will work alongside Bolton Council, Homes England and HKR to complete the remainder of the Rivington Chase development.
Bellway has nearly completed the construction of its phase one, named Barton Quarter, having been the first housebuilder on the site. The 112 family home project was granted planning permission in 2018 and an additional 10 homes will be added to Barton Quarter if approved, plus another 197 homes which are to be located north and south of the new link road and adjacent to the heritage core and open space amenities.
The proposed 207 homes will comprise a good mix of detached, semi-detached and mews housing, with 50 four-bed properties, 144 three-bed properties, nine two-bed properties and four one-bed properties. These will also be designed to complement and enhance the existing key landscape features with an appearance that will reflect the distinctive red brick appearance of the former Loco Works buildings.
In addition, further details about the Community Core, open spaces and heritage parks at the heart of Rivington Chase that the new homes will sit alongside are set to be announced in the near future.
George Stevenson, Land Director at Bellway said: “Careful planning has gone into these proposals to create a high quality, sustainable neighbourhood with designs that reflect the history and heritage of the site. Rivington Chase is a truly special development which is transforming a derelict brownfield site into a neighbourhood that celebrates the history and heritage of the Loco Works, and provides a destination for local people that will combine community, educational, retail, leisure, health, recreational and well-being amenities.”
Mark Caldwell, Chief Executive of Bluemantle added: “We are really pleased that Bellway is able to bring forward phase 2 plans for further housing which will sit at the heart of the Rivington Chase regeneration scheme. Not only will this create an attractive neighbourhood and provide much-needed family homes in Horwich, these proposals will also accelerate the construction of the link road providing vital infrastructure for the area. We are working up more detailed plans for the heritage parks, open space and community core at the centre of the site and will be announcing these shortly.”
Subject to planning permission, work on phase one of the construction of the northern section of the link road will start in January 2022, followed by the house building. The complete construction of the link road is due to be completed by March 2023 and all 207 homes by the spring of 2028.
APD is the architect behind the scheme, with Cass Associates as Masterplan Architect and Avison Young acting as planning advisor.