The big development projects set for Bolton in 2025

The borough of Bolton is changing at a fast pace.

A key part of the council’s regeneration plan is to attract more people to live in the town centre, shifting focus away from retail to provide a mix of residential developments, as well as leisure and hospitality. Developers continue to table plans for schemes that catch the eye and promise to bring new homes, leisure and medical facilities to the borough.

Below are are some of the key projects that could transform the town in 2025 and beyond.

Work is nearly finished at the Moor Lane development. The completed project will have 218 apartments and townhouses, including 82 affordable homes, as well as commercial units and green spaces.

The main development site at Moor Lane occupies brownfield land on the former bus station footprint, with two smaller plots located either side of the job centre. The development is being delivered by Step Places, working with social housing provider Bolton at Home and Bolton Council.

Train operator Virgin has begun the process of bringing a direct rail service from Bolton and Horwich to London Euston. The company lost the West Coast mainline inter city franchise in 2019 after 22 years to current operator Avanti. However, Virgin Group has started the process towards bringing their brand back to the railways, applying to the Office of Rail and Road for four Open Access rail paths with an aim to get services running by the end of 2025.

Under this type of license, Virgin would not receive any state subsidies and assumes the risk of running a rail service itself. In contrast, a franchised operator holds a contract with the government to run the route.

The route planned would be a service beginning at London Euston and calling at Nuneaton, Stoke,