Bolton residents can shape where new homes and jobs go
Residents, businesses and community groups can comment on Bolton’s draft Local Plan until 11.59pm on Thursday 26 November 2026. The plan sets out where new homes, jobs and infrastructure could go across the borough to 2042. Comments can be submitted online, by email or by post using the representation form on the council’s Emerging Local Plan page. The council says comments from earlier consultation stages do not carry forward, so previous respondents should submit their views again if they want them considered in this phase.
Where the plan proposes growth
The plan provides for at least 787 new homes a year, the figure set for Bolton in Places for Everyone, the joint plan adopted by nine Greater Manchester districts in 2024. It also identifies a further 147,497 square metres of industrial and warehousing floorspace, through new allocations and better use of existing employment sites.
Growth is focused on Central Bolton, Health Innovation Bolton beside Royal Bolton Hospital, NorthFold employment locations in the west of the borough, and Middlebrook. The plan proposes Green Belt boundary changes at four locations: Health Innovation Bolton, the Blackrod Employment Cluster, the Logistics North Extension, and land off The Alders at Tonge Moor for homes for Travelling Showpeople.
The proposals also set affordable housing requirements, with social rent the priority, and call for accessible and adaptable homes. New development would need to fund the school places, health capacity, transport improvements and open space it creates demand for. Land is safeguarded for two new primary schools.
How to comment before 26 November
The draft plan, Policies Map, supporting documents, video and answers to common questions are available on Bolton Council’s Emerging Local Plan page. For more on the consultation and its deadline, read about Bolton growth plans. Comments must arrive by 11.59pm on Thursday 26 November 2026; the council says late responses cannot be accepted. Paper copies are available at the Town Hall One Stop Shop and libraries across the borough.
Council officers will bring the plan and map to drop-in sessions at:
| Date and time | Venue |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 3 November, 1.30pm–7.30pm | Central Library, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton BL1 1SE |
| Wednesday 4 November, 1.30pm–7pm | New Bury UCAN, 53 George Street, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 9PU |
| Thursday 12 November, 1.30pm–8pm | Ditchfield Room, Westhoughton Hub, Central Drive, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3DS |
What happens after consultation
After the consultation closes, the council will consider the comments and decide whether to submit the plan for independent examination. If submitted, every comment will go in full to an independent Inspector, who is expected to hold public hearings during 2027 and recommend any changes needed before the plan can be adopted.
Source: Bolton Council News
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This report follows Bolton Council’s published consultation details and plan proposals.
- Checked the consultation opening and closing dates stated by the council.
- Compared the housing and employment figures with the supplied plan summary.
- Checked the four stated Green Belt locations and the drop-in event details against the sou...
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- 2026-10-19 10:52
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