Watson Homes to deliver £100m masterplan on long-dormant riverside site.

The Church Wharf Project is a key component of Bolton Council’s £1 billion regeneration. The development is backed by £5 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

The Watson Homes Church Wharf project is a landmark regeneration scheme that will transform a long-derelict riverside site into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood in Bolton town centre. Located at a key gateway into the town, adjacent to the River Croal and close to Bolton Parish Church, the development forms an important part of Bolton Council's wider regeneration masterplan. The £100 million project aims to create a sustainable and attractive urban community that encourages town-centre living while supporting local businesses and economic growth.

The scheme will deliver approximately 415 high-quality homes, a hotel with up to 130 bedrooms, retail and leisure space, and new public realm, including landscaped riverside areas and pedestrian connections. These improvements are designed to create an active, accessible environment where people can live, work, and socialise. The development also places a strong emphasis on sustainability through the reuse of brownfield land and the creation of walkable public spaces.

Church Wharf is expected to accommodate over 1,000 residents, increase footfall in the town centre, and attract further private investment into Bolton. By combining residential, commercial, and hospitality uses, the project will help strengthen the local economy while enhancing the appearance and functionality of a previously underused site. As one of Bolton's flagship regeneration projects, Church Wharf demonstrates how strategic redevelopment can revitalise urban areas and create long-term social and economic benefits for the community.

What Have Local Leaders Said About the Project?

Rob Watson, Director at Watson, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be moving forward with Church Wharf, a project that represents a major opportunity for the community of Bolton”. He emphasized that the development is about “creating a new neighbourhood with character and purpose, where people want to live, work, and spend time”.

Watson also highlighted the firm’s commitment to delivering long-term value, noting that the project is “an investment in lasting, positive change”.

(Quotes taken from Boltontoday.co.uk)

Isla Wishart, Senior Architect at jma, said;

“It’s a delight to have joined jma at such and exciting time, this has allowed me to get involved in the development of the Church Wharf scheme which was designed inhouse by the jma team”

Credit: Isla Wishart, jmarchitects