• Wellbeing and prevention, healthy living and homes, job creation and investment in the health sector at the heart of new vision
•  NorthFold growth location catalyst would deliver thousands of jobs and over £1 billion investment
• Bolton Council, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Peel Land, University of Greater Manchester and Bradford Estates to collaborate on long term plan

A new vision for Health Innovation Bolton, a strategic partnership between Bolton Council, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Peel Land, the University of Greater Manchester and Bradford Estates, has been unveiled following an event showcasing the NorthFold growth location.

Health Innovation Bolton (HIB) is a place-based growth initiative aimed at improving health and wellbeing while driving economic regeneration and better social outcomes. It is one of the most exciting and innovative schemes in the North West.

The partners have now endorsed a new concept study and blueprint that places HIB at the centre of the NorthFold growth location and are committed to taking forward the delivery of the initiative, to build a healthier, greener and more prosperous future for Bolton and Greater Manchester.

The proposals were discussed by public and private sector leaders at an event last week, NorthFold – Delivering Growth Across Wigan and Bolton, which was attended by over 200 industry representatives, stakeholders and investors. Meanwhile, a report setting out proposals to update an original exploratory Memorandum of Understanding in 2021, will be presented to Bolton Council’s Cabinet on 15 December.

HIB aims to tackle some of Bolton’s most entrenched health and social challenges. This cross-sector collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering inclusive economic growth, with a focus on health and life sciences, new homes and long-term improvements for communities across the borough. Bolton Council is consulting on the next version of its emerging Local Plan over the following 8 weeks. The plan puts health at the heart of the plan for Bolton – and identifies opportunities for areas of change including the potential for Health Innovation Bolton.

The partners will focus on reducing health inequality and deprivation, with some adjacent neighbourhoods ranking within the top 10% most disadvantaged nationally, whilst also supporting the future sustainability of the Foundation Trust. The project seeks to provide access to sports, open spaces, community facilities and jobs, together with improvements to poor quality housing.

The regeneration programme will place health and wellbeing at the heart of a mixed-use transformational project. As part of this, HIB will deliver new homes designed around healthy and active lifestyles, major improvements to transport, energy and community infrastructure and employment opportunities, helping to retain skills and economic value locally.

Far more than a development scheme, HIB is a holistic response to interconnected challenges, bringing together healthcare, education, innovation, housing and infrastructure in one transformational location.

Speaking ahead of the Cabinet meeting to consider the HIB proposals, Bolton Council Leader Cllr Nick Peel said:

Health Innovation Bolton represents an exciting opportunity to tackle inequality, create opportunity and put health and wellbeing at the centre of our borough’s ongoing regeneration.

“If approved, these plans will mark the first step towards a partnership approach that will give us the best chance of delivering the infrastructure and investment our communities deserve.

Fiona Noden, Chief Executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We welcome this exciting development and look forward to continuing to explore how we can work in partnership to tackle health inequalities, and improve health outcomes for our Bolton communities and beyond.

Dr Greg Walker, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester, said:

This development is a hugely exciting prospect for the town of Bolton and beyond. Building on the close relationship with the Trust, and linking our medical School with strengths in engineering, advanced manufacturing and computing, we look forward to helping deliver this important opportunity for health innovation.

Stephen Wild, Managing Director at Peel Land, commented:

Health Innovation Bolton represents everything we believe regeneration should be – partner-led, community-focused and designed to create lasting positive change. By bringing together the NHS, local government, education and the private sector, we can tackle complex health and social challenges and grow our economy in ways none of us could achieve alone.

A spokesperson from Bradford Estates said:

We are pleased to be supporting the next step for Northfold, a project set to bring long-term benefits for the local area. By progressing with the delivery of these much-needed new homes, we can help respond to growing demand and start creating real benefits for local communities.

The emerging vision is to co-locate and create a cluster of health innovation, skills, housing, community facilities and infrastructure. Central to this is ensuring a sustainable future for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and the flagship £40 million Institute of Medical Science at the University of Greater Manchester, which welcomed its first cohort of medical students in September.

HIB will also create research and development space to enable collaboration between healthcare, academia and industry. There is potential for further university facilities in fields such as dentistry, global health and veterinary sciences, alongside opportunities for private healthcare providers to co-locate with NHS services, creating an integrated health campus.

New residential neighbourhoods will include affordable housing, key worker and student accommodation, and supported living, alongside market housing in a healthy new community that integrates with surrounding communities in Farnworth and Great Lever and is centred around a new elevated linear park.

A significant package of enabling infrastructure will underpin the development. A new primary transport corridor will ease congestion around the hospital and Plodder Lane, while improved access to the M61 at Junction 4 will enhance regional connectivity. Better public transport, walking and cycling links will integrate with Bolton’s proposed Connected and Autonomous Mobility System (CAMS), linking this area to the Town Centre. Upgrades to digital, water and utilities networks will also support long-term growth.