Bolton council's draft local plan identifies three green belt areas for development, including space for up to 14,052 new homes and a minimum of 135,099 sq m of industrial space before 2042.
Health Innovation Bolton is largest green belt site
The largest site earmarked to be taken out of the green belt is Health Innovation Bolton (HIB), a large area of land between Royal Bolton Hospital and the M61. The proposal includes 1,895 homes and 40,839 sq ft of employment space.
Another green belt area in the draft plans is described as the Blackrod employment cluster, green land close to the village's railway station. It is allocated for 44,800 sq m of employment space.
Logistics North extension and housing allocations
The third potential green belt area is an extension to the Logistics North industrial park, just off the M61 near Over Hulton. That would accommodate between 30,000 and 80,000 sq m of employment space and possibly some housing.
A council cabinet report states that there are 'two mixed use sites' in the plan. It said: “Health Innovation Bolton is a health innovation district combining housing with employment located with the hospital and the University of Greater Manchester medical school, creating high-quality jobs across healthcare, education, research, innovation, manufacturing and supporting sectors.
“The Logistics North extension floorspace is expressed as a range because it may include an element of housing to the west, reflecting its position between Logistics North and neighbouring residential areas.”
Housing targets and brownfield priority
The report identifies a need for 14,052 housing units during the plan period. Sites with planning permission make up 4,976 of that number. Additional strategic and 'key housing allocations' identify another 5,715 new homes, including Crompton Place (340), Health Innovation Bolton (1,895), Anchor Lane, Farnworth (460), Lee Hall (1,450), Ditchers Farm, Westhoughton (570) and Burnden Way, Middlebrook (1,000).
The remainder of the home build target would be met by strategic housing and employment land availability assessment sites (1,741) and windfall sites (1,600).
The report contains a section titled 'Brownfield Prioritisation and Green Belt'. It said: “Brownfield regeneration remains the priority and the first source of supply, and regenerating the town centre in particular is the starting point for the plan.
“Crompton Place is allocated because of its prominent location and should not be read as the only site that will come forward. The green belt boundary was established by Places for Everyone.
“This plan alters it only in exceptional circumstances, to meet identified development needs that cannot be met elsewhere. All available sources of supply have been assessed, and the needs cannot be met on brownfield or other non-green belt land within the borough.”
Next steps and consultation
If the cabinet approves the proposals at its meeting on Monday, September 28, the draft local plan will go out for public consultation. Following that period, representations received and assessment will be reported to council in December, when approval to submit the local plan will be sought.
An inspector appointed by the Secretary of State from the Planning Inspectorate will then test the plan's legal compliance and soundness at public hearings, expected during 2027. The council said that timetable depends on the Planning Inspectorate's capacity, with a large number of authorities, including several Greater Manchester districts, expected to submit in December.
Earlier this month, an agreement was signed by partners hoping to bring forward Health Innovation Bolton. Partners said it would 'create a new neighbourhood' and transform much of the south of Bolton. The agreement was between organisations including Bolton council, Peel Land and the hospital trust, with a capital investment of £520m. The group said a public consultation on the scheme will take place in 2027 ahead of any planning application.
