New restaurant planned next to Bolton’s Queens Park

Park is designated as conservation area

Plans for a new restaurant in Bolton are set to be considered.

The three-storey building in question, on Mayor Street, next to Queens Park, was completed in 2024. The premises has a permitted retail use at ground floor, which is currently unoccupied and a flat above.

Queens Park is a grade II listed registered park and garden and is also designated as a conservation area. The building is around 85 metres from the entrance lodge to the park.

The application, in the name of Shahid Mahmood, requests a change of use for the ground floor from retail to restaurant.

Contained with the application are CGI visuals of the intended interior of the restaurant should the plans be passed. There is a car park directly opposite the application site serving the park.

A design and access report in support of the plans said: “No external changes are proposed, other than a flue which is situated to the side elevation, towards the rear of the building.

“Internally, the ground floor will consist of a seating area, food preparation area and kitchen.

The proposed hours of opening for the restaurant are 9am-11pm; Monday to Sunday.

Pre-application advice sought from Bolton council said hat the proposed change of use itself would not have any impact on the character and appearance of the building or the surrounding area and in this regard would be acceptable.

The advice added: “A noise and odour assessment would be required together including details of the extraction system and flue and any required mitigation.

“Signage would require separate consent and would need to be designed sympathetically to avoid harm to the Queens Park conservation area.”

Planners in Bolton will consider the plans in the coming weeks.

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