Phase 1 Reserved Matters Application

West of Wingates is a strategic employment hub in Westhoughton, Bolton which could create up to 6,000 new jobs over the next 10-15 years. It is allocated under the adopted Places for Everyone – Greater Manchester Spatial Plan as a location to deliver 440,000 sqm of employment space.

The site is located to the south of the A6 Chorley Road and to the west of the Wingates Industrial Estate, close to Junction 6 of the M61. The first phase has outline planning consent for logistics and manufacturing space, with preparatory work starting on site earlier this year. Find out more about the Phase 1 planning consent.

We have also undertaken work to realign a short stretch of the A6 Chorley Road in front of the Blue Bell Cottages, creating a new landscaped buffer, moving traffic away from the houses and creating a dedicated access to the Wingates employment site away from Wimberry Hill Road. Find out more about the A6 Road improvements.

Before we start construction of the Phase 1 buildings, we need to submit detailed plans to Bolton Council, setting out what they will look like. We are preparing a planning application (called a ‘Reserved Matters’ application) for the first five buildings and want to hear from local people about what you think.

What is proposed?

We are submitting plans for the first five buildings which are located off Chorley Road at the northern end of the site. They range in size from 1,500 sqm to 8,800 sqm, providing choice for smaller, local businesses to grow, up to larger national businesses looking to relocate to Bolton.

• Design and usage: The buildings will be of a modern, high-quality design, creating an attractive business location suitable for industrial and logistics.
• Location and scale: The building heights and positions are all within the limits approved by the outline planning permission. The three buildings located closest to Chorley Road will be up to 11m high, while the two larger buildings (up to 16m high) are located further into the site, away from residential properties.
• Landscaped screening: The buildings along Chorley Road will be set back 50 metres from the Blue Bell Cottages, with new landscape mounds and planting in between to provide effective screening. Service yards will be shielded from view by timber fencing and located away from residential properties.
• Sustainable and future-proofed: The buildings are designed to be highly energy efficient, incorporating rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle charging points for cars and HGVs, and facilities to support walking and cycling to work.

You can find more information in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have your say

We want to hear your views on our detailed plans before we submit a planning application to Bolton Council in the Summer.

You can find out more about the plans and speak to the project team at our public drop-in event: Thursday 17th July 2025 3pm – 7pm The Hub at Westhoughton, Central Drive, Westhoughton, BL5 3DS.

You can also provide your feedback in the following ways:

• Online feedback form: Completing our online form
• Email: wingates@fontcomms.com
• Phone: 0800 689 1095
• Post: Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY (no further address or stamp required)

Make sure to submit all comments by the consultation deadline of Friday 1st August 2025.

Disclaimer: Providing your contact details allows Font Communications Ltd, on behalf of Harworth Group, to assess the reach of the consultation and log responses. Should you select to be kept informed, your email address and telephone number will allow Font to keep you updated on plans for West of Wingates only. Copies of the feedback received may be made available, in due course, to Bolton Council. We will, however, request that your personal details are not placed on the public record. Your personal details will be held securely by Font Communications Ltd in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and will not be passed to any additional third parties.