Muse, the Morgan Sindall-owned developer that has led Stockport's regeneration, and was picked last summer to lead Bolton's £150M Church Wharf project, has begun consultation on the redevelopment.

The plan includes 320 homes but the consultation website makes no mention of previously declared plans for an "icnonic tower" at Folds Road/Bow Street.

Last year Muse appeared to hint that the existing plan would need re-thinking. At that point it was said the scheme was worth more, closer to £210M.

Church Wharf is the centrepiece of £1B regeneration plans.

The decision comes 10 years after Manchester developer Ask and Cheshire-based partner Bluemantle won planning permission for 340K SF of offices, a hotel, a cinema and 720 apartments on a 13-acre site on the banks of the River Croal. Although part of the site was cleared in 2014 the development has not taken place.

The draft Supplementary Planning Document published last year reduced the number of apartments to 400, proposed an "iconic tower" at Folds Road/Bow Street and re-affirmed the emphasis on employment uses on the site.

“The Church Wharf site is in an ideal location for new homes, within minutes walk of the centre of town," Muse Developments Director David Burkinshaw said. "The setting alongside the River Croal and with impressive views of the two churches gives Muse the opportunity, working in partnership with Bolton Council, to create something really special that people can be proud of."