A DERELICT area of Bolton town centre will be transformed into a £35 million homes development.

The block of 258 apartments and four town houses is proposed for land fronting St Georges Road between Bark Street and Back Bark Street.

The plans from Bolton-based company Forshaw include include private cinemas and gyms for residents.

The development forms part of Bolton Council’s £1bn masterplan to redevelop the town centre.

Lyndon Forshaw, managing director of Forshaw, said: “This project will set a new benchmark for high quality residential schemes in Bolton town centre.

"It will provide much needed new homes in the heart of Bolton and feature unrivalled facilities for residents.

“These will include fully equipped gymnasiums, private cinemas, residents’ lounges and roof terrace.

"The site is located at an important gateway to the town which has been derelict for years and in need of the regeneration opportunity this development proposal provides.”

Mr Forshaw added: “As a Bolton-based company, Forshaw is fully behind the council’s ambitious masterplan for the town centre.

"We anticipate this will be the first of several schemes to come forward in coming months and years which will ultimately help to revive the town centre economy.”

Bolton Council is working with investors and developers on its ambitious £1bn blueprint which will see five key areas redeveloped in the heart of the town centre.

READ MORE: Bolton's £1bn masterplan - the story so far

This development sits within the Croal Valley intervention zone. Plans are due to be submitted to the council, and subject to permission, it is hoped that work will begin towards the end of the year.

Other announcements include £48m plans for Trinity Gateway unveiled last week by Bolton Regeneration Limited, who are also involved in plans to redevelop Crompton Place Shopping Centre.

Details of Muse Developments’ £150 million project for a new neighbourhood in Church Wharf were revealed last month.

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, said: “This proposed development is the latest piece in the council’s masterplan jigsaw, and will regenerate another key gateway to the town centre.

READ MORE: Compulsory purchasing powers granted for Church Wharf scheme

“It demonstrates yet more investor confidence in our strategy and in Bolton’s growing economic position within the city region.

"As well as transforming how the town centre looks, we are committed to adapting to what residents want and that is clearly high-quality homes close to jobs, services and good transport links.

“This development will provide top quality homes and ultimately create more footfall to help shops and businesses nearby.

“It is yet another example of how our strategy to transform the centre of Bolton is really gathering pace.

"It will deliver much needed homes on a brownfield site helping reduce the pressure on less sustainable locations.”