Spotlight on Bromley Cross

WHERE: North Bolton, three miles from the town centre just before the border between Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen.

WHY: Scenic with an old-fashioned village feel. Traditional cottages and attractive detached houses and terraces, plus a growing number of new developments.

Newcomers to Bromley Cross are attracted by the excellent reputation of Turton High School. There are plenty of local shops and a Co-op supermarket.

Also, good travel links to Bolton and Blackburn.

WHO: Well-off commuters and leading Bolton business people snap up homes at upmarket Turton Heights. In the older part of the village itself agents report a growing trend of older couples from other parts of Greater Manchester buying cottages to downsize after their children have left home.

There is a great demand for terraced houses by young couples wanting to move to this desirable area of Bolton and recently there has been a spate of quick sales with retired people selling their homes to move into retirement properties.

PRICES: North Bolton has some of the highest property prices in the town.

The starting price in Bromley Cross is around £65,000 to £70,000 so it' s a bit cheaper than in other parts of north Bolton like Heaton and Lostock. The highest demand at the moment is for reasonable-sized terrace houses for first-time buyers.

AGENT'S VIEW: JGG Independent Properties, in Bromley Cross, said: "Bromley Cross is hugely busy, anywhere in north Bolton is in massive demand and the movement is very quick. Recently I sold a mid-terrace in four hours.

"Lots of first-time buyers are attracted to Bromley Cross because it's a nice traditional sort of place and very desirable.You've got your nice estates and there are some beautiful houses at Turton Heights, we always get a lot of interest there.

"It's a good place to raise a family but it's also a pleasant place for older people to live, and for the younger first-time buyers there are plenty of nice boozers.

"There is easy access to the motorway and to Bolton and the buses are regular. Turton High has a good reputation in terms of state schools, which is always a winner."

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