Vistry says Leigh scheme is ‘significant opportunity to prevent a complex former industrial site becoming a long-term environmental problem’
The North Leigh Park location (Image: )
A vision for a ‘new neighbourhood’ of 1,800 homes in Leigh has been set out.
Developer Vistry, has announced plans to bring forward the next phases of residential development at North Leigh Park.
Vistry said the plans ‘mark a further step in the transformation of the allocated site into a new neighbourhood for the borough’.
Outline planning permission for up to 1,800 new homes, a new local centre with leisure, retail and health facilities, public open space and road improvements was granted in 2013, with 186 homes already built.
Vistry said the next stages of residential development will create up to 1,500 new homes. It said this would help to support local housing needs and enable more people to live and work in the area.
The developer said the scheme will also deliver major infrastructure improvements, including a new road link between Leigh Road in Hindley Green and Atherleigh Way, helping to ease pressure on existing roads and improve connections across the borough.
The development will also provide new green spaces, links to surrounding walking and cycling networks, and habitat enhancements, including around the existing pond to the north of the site.
Vistry said a crucial part of the project was to ‘address land affected by decades of former mining, quarrying and landfill, which would otherwise remain a long-term environmental liability if left untreated’.
It said the intention was to transform a complex brownfield site into land that is safe, usable and suitable for new homes, green space and community facilities.
North Leigh Park is identified by Wigan Council in its local plan to help meet housing need.
The site was recently announced as one of six priority housing locations selected for the Government’s New Homes Accelerator programme, aimed at overcoming planning barriers and accelerating the delivery of new affordable homes and supporting infrastructure.
Outline planning permission for up to 1,800 new homes is being sought(Image: )
Vistry is inviting local residents, businesses and community groups to view the latest proposals and share their feedback at a public exhibition.
The exhibition will take place at Leigh Sports Village on Thursday, January 22 from 3pm -7pm. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions, and feedback forms will be available on the day, as well as online via the project website.
Matthew Parkes is managing director of Vistry Manchester and Cheshire East. He said: “We are pleased to be bringing forward the next phases of North Leigh Park and continuing to work with Wigan Council, the Government and the local community to deliver much-needed new homes in this part of the borough.
“This is a significant opportunity to prevent a complex former industrial site becoming a long-term environmental problem and instead turn it into a well-planned new neighbourhood, with new homes, green spaces, local facilities and improved connections.
“We want to hear from local people about the proposals, and we would encourage anyone with an interest to attend the exhibition, view the plans and share their views.”
