https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/20215818.university-bolton-stadium-plans-new-grand-arc-vote/
Long dormant plans for major works around Bolton Wanderers’ stadium including a “grand arc” of buildings with 200 apartments could be set to be revived.
The wide-ranging plans will also include an upgraded arena building with accommodation for 500 students, a new sports building, a hotel, a new education building to the south of Burnden Way and an expansion to the west stand of the stadium for hospitality and office spaces.
The plans were first lodged all the way back in 2013 but will now be brought back before Bolton Council to be voted on next Thursday, having been deferred for further consultations since then.
Planning committee chair Cllr John Walsh said: “It’s an application to be dealt with its an outstanding matter and will be treated like any other outstanding matter.”
He added: “It’s unusual it has taken so long but that is due process.”
The plans will see major expansion works around the stadium
As well as the apartments and hotel, the “grand arc” of seven buildings will include spaces for retailers, food and drink outlets, offices and sport and leisure facilities.
The restructured west stand aims to provide up to 3,000 square metres of including hospitality areas and administration facilities.
Elsewhere on the site, a new sports building will be linked to the Arena building and feature sports halls, tennis courts, changing rooms and admin facilities, with an indoor football pitch.
Upgrades to the existing sports facilities will include improvements to the running track and a 3G artificial football pitch.
An artist's impression of one of the new buildings
Existing car park will also be “rationalised” to provide extra parking spaces.
The plans also include access propels including junction improvements to the Spirit of Sport Roundabout and elsewhere around the site to help address concerns raised in Horwich and Westhoughton about the effects this could have on traffic in both areas.
As well as allaying traffic concerns, Bolton Council has also required that at least 15 per cent of the 200 flats be deemed “affordable” and that the project includes open space which the developers have agreed to.
The planning committee is set to meet next Thursday to discuss the plans.
