HIB is a catalyst project within Greater Manchester’s NorthFold growth location, supporting the region’s ten-year ambition to attract £1 billion of investment annually.

The initiative is embedded in Bolton’s 2040 Borough Plan and 2040 Vision and aligns with the Wigan-Bolton Growth Corridor, which specifically supports the creation of a “health innovation cluster” at this location. This alignment ensures the project contributes both to local regeneration and to the wider transformation of northern Greater Manchester.

Following the signing of an exploratory memorandum of understanding in 2021, the partners are to update the agreement to capture and drive progress. The two principal landowners, Bolton Council and Peel Land, are working towards establishing a joint venture to align interests and drive delivery.

The partnership recognises that realising the full HIB vision will require sustained collaboration, with each organisation contributing essential expertise, assets and long-term commitment. The partners will consider adding other parties as the proposals move into delivery and will engage a wide range of stakeholders in further developing the ideas and delivery plan.

Health Innovation Bolton is the holding name for the initiative and may be replaced by a new brand post-consultation, to reflect the full scope and ambition of the project.

Website www.healthinnovationbolton.co.uk

The HIB concept study is being updated and will be published in due course along with further information about the project.

Public consultation in relation to HIB will take place both through the Bolton Local Plan and future consultation exercises over HIB itself.