A “once in a generation” opportunity for Chorley.

Chorley Council have submitted a bid to government for a 'once in a generation' opportunity to transform three key sites in Chorley.

These schemes will reshape and refresh the town centre as well as providing long term benefits for the community and to help support Chorley’s economy.  

The proposals will be supported by £20m from the second round of the Levelling Up Funding if the bid is successful, with three schemes being put forward: 

👉 Development of a civic square and associated infrastructure on the former Buzz Bingo site and Cleveland Street car park. 

Currently a temporary car park but could include a focal point for town centre events, gardens, units to accommodate retail and restaurant businesses as well as apartments, a hotel and multi-level parking.

👉 Redevelopment of the Bengal Street depot site. 

Used as a Council depot at the moment, proposals include a commercial unit and stylish apartments providing a much improved approach to the town centre and a potential catalyst for other investment in that area.

👉 United Reform Church Hollinshead Centre and public realm changes to the Union St area. 

Plans include upgrading the ancillary building to the rear of the church to create a multi-use space, along with green links to the Bengal St development, additional access to Hollinshead Street car park and improved links from Union St to Astley Park. 

A spokes person for the council says: 

“Whilst it would have been great to put forward other schemes in the Borough as well, unfortunately the tight timescales for delivery mean that we need to hit the ground running with schemes that are ready to go and these schemes all fit that criteria.”

“The scheme delivery costs equate to around £44m of which £20m will be from the Levelling up Fund bid if successful with funding for the remainder of the project to be reviewed once the outcome of the bid is known.”

“We’ll find out in Autumn whether the funding bid has been successful, and people will get chance to have their say as things progress.”

Images show how the Civic Square, Bengal Street depot site and United Reform Church Hollinshead Centre could look.