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A new group is set to be formed to oversee one of the most ambitious redevelopment schemes Bolton has seen in recent years. The now closed Crompton Place shopping centre is set to be demolished over this year to make way for what the council hopes will be a “mixed use” scheme made up of offices and food and drink outlets. With the search for a development partner still underway, a steering committee made up of elected councillors is set to be brought together to oversee the project.
Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “We’ll be appointing a Crompton Place steering committee so that elected members can have oversight on such a massive project.” He added: “It’s yet to set out terms of reference but one of the things they should be doing is taking a wide range of opinions from such as those from the Civic Trust.” The Crompton Place development is one of the most significant in the town centre (Image: Newsquest) Plans submitted in March this year said that the demolition of the old shopping centre is expected to take up to 50 weeks.
The scheme is also expected to include a direct pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate. The council has also discussed various “meanwhile uses” the space could be put to before the new development is eventually finished. This could include a play area or what council officers have described as a “mini-container village.
” But the Bolton Civic Trust, which aims to encourage high standards of architecture and town planning across Bolton, had previously expressed concerns about Crompton Place . Trust member Stuart Whittle had previously said that he was concerned the site could become “ derelict ” without a developer to take it on. ALSO READ: Concerns over 'derelict' site left in town centre after shopping centre demolition ALSO READ: Demolished shopping centre could be 'play area' or 'mini village' before new works ALSO READ: Demolition of shopping centre expected in summer Mr Whittle, a retired planned consultant, has since called for a public meeting to discuss the future of the Crompton Place development.
But Cllr Peel said that newly assembled steering group would be able to hear the views of groups like the Civic Trust and others. He said that it would a standing committee meaning “in other words it will exist as long as it needs to exist.” The steering group is expected to be appointed at a full meeting of Bolton Council .
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