Last Wigan gas holder to be demolished and make way for new energy centre

This was one of three sites dating back to the 1930s scheduled to be flattened five years ago – but the work on this site off Green Street near the town centre did not get completed in time.

Planning approval had to be resubmitted by the National Grid, which was granted by Wigan Council. The two other sites on Darlington Street were decommissioned a few years ago.

The power supplier now retains gas within the main gas system and keeps at the necessary pressure to supply both the regional and local network, National Grid explained in their planning statement.

While the full method of dismantling the site is not yet finalised, only the top section of the gas holder is to be demolished. In addition to this the internal corkscrew will also be removed, with the existing tank to be retained.

“The application site will be secure for the duration of the works, which are envisaged to last approximately 13 months, with a potential start date in January 2023,” a report said.

“The restoration will involve the infilling of voids where redundant pipework/ infrastructure is removed, along with the general ‘levelling’ of the site. The infill material used on the site will pass the necessary environmental regulations tests.”

In its place, on the southern part of the Green Street site, adjacent to the Liverpool & Leeds Canal towpath, will sit Wigan Energy Centre. This will see gas powered energy turbines constructed.

The aim of this is to provide intermittent energy when there is a shortage in supply when transferring from fossil fuel to renewable energy, a planning report claimed.