The major development around Royal Bolton Hospital, Farnworth, would also bring new health facilities, research space, businesses and improved transport links.
No decision on the plans have been made and if they are approved by Town Hall chiefs a consultation will take place for local people to have their say
Plans for ‘Health Innovation Bolton‘ (HIB) described by the council as Bolton’s largest single development site, have been set out in the borough’s new draft Local Plan.
A total of 2,225 homes are proposed, with 1,895 expected to be built by 2042 and a further 330 beyond the current Local Plan period.
At least 35 per cent would be affordable housing, while specialist housing would also be included.
The area marked C shows the proposed location of Health Innovation Bolton.
A new two-form entry primary school would be built to serve the community created by the development.
The exact timing has not yet been decided and would be agreed by Bolton Council through a future masterplan.
New health facilities would also be provided alongside a local centre and community facility, which would be expected to open by the time 1,000 homes had been completed unless a different timetable is agreed.
The plans are centred on Royal Bolton Hospital and the University of Greater Manchester Medical School, with the council aiming to create a major health innovation district.
Around 200,000sqm of space is proposed for employment, health innovation and health and community uses.
This would include around 39,000sqm of offices or research and development space, 41,000sqm of industrial and warehousing space linked to health innovation and another 120,000sqm for other health and innovation uses.
There would also be scope to expand facilities connected to Royal Bolton Hospital, subject to funding, to support education, research and investment.
The council said: “HIB will be a place where healthcare, research, education, employment, housing, mobility, green infrastructure and community wellbeing reinforce one another.”
It added: “It is not simply a development planned around a hospital and medical school.”
The council says the development could create a significant number of jobs across healthcare, education, research, innovation and manufacturing.
Major transport improvements are also proposed.
A new main road would run through the site and be capable of carrying buses, while new walking and cycling routes would be created.
Developers would also be expected to contribute towards a 15-minute frequency bus service to central Bolton, including by extending the existing 501 service into the development.
The plans also seek to address existing parking problems at Royal Bolton Hospital.
The Local Plan says hospital users “often complain that it is not possible to find a parking space” and says this can sometimes result in missed medical appointments.
Enough parking would therefore have to be provided as development progresses, with multi-storey parking considered where appropriate.
The neighbourhood would also include new open spaces and children’s play areas, with a green corridor proposed between Doe Hey Brook and Cutacre Country Park.
The site does face some challenges, states the report, including its current poor public transport accessibility, noise from the neighbouring M61 and areas affected by former coal mining.
Further work would also be required to address drainage and flood risks, adds the report.
Before planning applications are submitted, Bolton Council would have to approve a comprehensive masterplan setting out how the development would be delivered.
The current timetable envisages 295 homes in the first five years, 950 in years six to 10 and 650 in years 11 to 15, followed by a further 330 after year 15.
Health Innovation Bolton forms part of NorthFold, the wider strategic growth corridor spanning Bolton and Wigan.
The proposals are currently contained within Bolton’s draft Local Plan and do not themselves grant planning permission for the development.
Town Hall chiefs are recommended to approve the idea in principle on Monday.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said:
“Councils across England are required to develop a Local Plan, identifying how they will meet growing need for housing, employment space and public services.
“We started engagement on a direction of travel for the Local Plan last year, setting out proposals for healthier, greener and better-connected places across the borough.
“Pending approval by council, there will be formal consultation on the updated Local Plan, including a series of drop-in sessions.
“We would urge everyone to view this latest version of the Local Plan and to have their say during the consultation.”