The £210m mixed-use development of Church Wharf, led by regeneration companies Ask Developments and Bluemantel, has been granted outline planning permission by Bolton Council.

The masterplan, designed by careyjones architects, features a 'leisure zone' consisting of a six-screen cinema, up to 10 restaurants, bars and cafés, an 160-bedroom hotel and a series of new pedestrian routes and public spaces. There will also be a business quarter with 340,000sq ft (31.5sq m) of office space and a new residential quarter.

If successful, the project will result in 14-acres (5.7-hectare) in the north east of Bolton town centre being redeveloped and nearby brownfield land given a new use. The newly landscaped River Croal, which runs through the site, will also become a key feature connecting the various quarters with greenspace corridors.

The project was created in collaboration with engineers Faber Maunsell, consultants Capita Symonds and Drivers Jonas and landscape designers Planit-ie.

Councillor Ebrahim Adia, executive member for Development at Bolton Council said: “The regeneration of Church Wharf will create a recognisable and distinctive town centre neighbourhood, providing city living and a new leisure offering for the residents of Bolton.

"The development will also create 1,500 jobs and reinforce Bolton’s emerging status as a regional centre and the second fastest growing investor destination in the Manchester city region.”

The Council is considering a compulsory purchase order to consolidate ownership of the land should it be necessary for the project to go ahead.

A detailed planning application for the first phase of the development is expected to be submitted in 2009. Subject to approval, the construction of the leisure phase is hoped to begin in September 2009.