Bolton Fell Moss - Phase 3 Construction Contract

The former Bolton Fell peat works (Factory Site) adjoins Bolton Fell Moss Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which was first confirmed as a Site of Community Interest in 2009 for its 'degraded raised mires, still capable of restoration'. It was designated as a full SAC in 2016, requiring the UK government to safeguard the site and ensure its restoration. Following the cessation of peat cutting, the existing Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was extended to include all the land necessary for this and the commencement of restoration of the degraded raised mire.

Decontamination and demolition of the factory site was carried out in 2017-2019, ie buildings demolished and removed, materials and identified contaminated wastes removed.

An attempt to deal with the large amounts of run-off from the concrete in winter 2020-21 (previously drained into underground sumps some of which have been removed/blocked) has been only partially successful due to insufficient knowledge of the previous drainage system (likely to have evolved organically over the decades of use as a factory site).

The wider site and habitats have been declared a National Nature Reserve and will have Public Access. Its future management priority will be for its nature conservation interest.

The project has been proposed over three phases with phases one and two design and feasibility successfully delivered under the FOF Framework.

This third phase of the project - The construction phase has been successfully tendered and awarded under the Crown Commercial CWAS Lot 1.2.1 framework in January 2024