Regeneration scheme set for green light

North Leigh Park would bring 1,800 new homes and new employment land to former industrial wasteland between Leigh and Hindley.

The first wave of development - a 162-strong housing estate - will be considered by the town hall’s planning committee next week with officers, as expected, recommending it for approval.

The development is a public-private sector partnership between Wigan Council and developer North Leigh Park group.

Two issues will be before the committee: the construction of an access road off Nel Pan Lane to help the first phase take place, and detailed plans of the houses, expanding on the outline approval the plan received in 2013.

The planning report reads: “It was anticipated that early phases of the development would comprise 200 dwellings from the Leigh Road junction and 200 dwellings from the Westleigh Lane junction.

“However, negotiations to secure the necessary third-party land have not progressed as quickly as envisaged.

“It is therefore proposed to access the first phase of development off a new junction direct from Nel Pan Lane. The proposals include the provision of a right-turn lane to ensure waiting vehicles do not obstruct traffic flows along Nel Pan Lane.”

The town hall has received three letters of objection to the homes citing the impact on wildlife and potential traffic and infrastructure issues for locals.

The over-arching plan for North Leigh Park includes 1,800 new homes plus 51,000m sq of new employment space, approximately 47 acres of improved strategic green infrastructure and a local centre with community and retail uses.

Council leader Lord Smith said earlier this year: “This scheme is of strategic importance to the borough in delivering the quantity and quality of housing that our residents will desperately need in the coming years.”