Plans for the next phase of a £262m development in Bolton include a new retail, food and drink hall, large car park, and two historic buildings being restored to their former glory.
Developer Bluemantle has today unveiled the heritage plans for Rivington Chase, the £262m, 187-acre redevelopment of the former Horwich Loco Works.
It follows "extensive consultation" with the local community and key stakeholders, with plans revealed for a heritage and community core in a detailed indicative masterplan put forward by North West architects, Cass Associates.
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The 'core' will sit at the centre of the 1,700-home Rivington Chase development - aiming to celebrate the history and heritage of the Loco Works and provide a destination for local people.
Mark Caldwell, managing director of Bluemantle, said: “Throughout the development of Rivington Chase, we have worked closely with the wider community to ensure Rivington Chase commemorates the heritage and special history of the Loco Works.
"I believe that these heritage and community core plans do just that and also provide a range of amenities and open spaces to be enjoyed by the whole community and for generations to come.”
At its peak, Horwich Locomotive Works - more commonly known as the Loco Works - employed 5,000 people. It opened in 1886 and contributed to a boom in the town's population, with thousands flocking to the area with their families. It was later nationalised and eventually closed in the 1980s.
As part of the proposed plans, two original Loco Works buildings will be restored to their former glory.
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Indicative plans have been proposed to transform the former Millwrights shop into a mix of a heritage venue, community health and well-being centre, and a retail food and drink hall.
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In association with headline sponsors Brewin Dolphin, CMS, LDC, PwC, Robert Walters and category sponsor Bolton School.
The former Pattern Makers building is set to be renovated into a 166-space multi-storey car park within the existing building structure and open at roof level.
A new Rivington Chase 'heritage trail' will allow the public to retrace the steps of the thousands of workers who passed through the site.
The site will contain "vast amounts" of open space, designed to incorporate key elements and artefacts restored from the Loco Works original buildings including the former erecting and repair shed.
The heritage trail will begin at the existing war memorial and entrance to Rivington House and adjacent Stores Buildings.
The site will also include a community plaza and landscaped memorial park, with other aspects planned for the heritage trail including viewpoints overlooking the Red Moss wildlife refuge.
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A spokesperson for Bolton Council added: “It’s great to see the plans being put forward to keep and develop the heritage of the old Loco Works as part of the new development.
"This was always an important part of the plans when the council supported the site to deliver a brownfield site and attract developers.
“Horwich has a proud history as one of the major railway towns of the country and it’s important this heritage is celebrated.
“Open spaces, leisure and community services are also key to the whole development and we’re delighted that these plans highlight the area’s past history, and link it to the surrounding, natural environment by creating new public green spaces.”