Planning Goes in at Key Wigan Site

Following a positive public consultation process, a planning application has now been submitted for the £170m regeneration of the 15-acre Eckersley Mills site.

The mixed-use regeneration proposals, developed by Lathams in conjunction with Hodder Associations, include 338 residential units, 25,000 sq m of business space, a new hotel, cafés, restaurants, cultural facilities, gardens and squares, together with a potential new live marina and will create over 1600 new jobs.

Lathams Director Stuart Hodgkinson said: "The scheme will become the single most important regeneration scheme within Wigan and consolidate the Wigan Pier Quarter as a leisure and cultural destination of regional and possible national significance.

"Furthermore, these proposals will bring phenomenal economic benefits to the area, injecting an initial estimated investment of £100m to the local area, plus £33m per year expenditure in the economy and attract up to 100,000 visitors per year. The scheme will create up to 1,050 construction and project delivery jobs during the build and over 1,600 new employment opportunities."

As well as jointly developing the proposals, Lathams has managed a comprehensive public consultation process. A public exhibition, which was held for one month / three weeks at the Wigan History Shop, gave local residents an opportunity to view the proposals for the scheme. Over 97% of those asked were in favour of the regeneration proposals, with 92% believing that the scheme would be of economic benefit and would encourage employment opportunities in the area. In addition, 79% supported the creation of a live marina and accompanying public spaces. 90% also believed that the creation of a mixed-use 'urban village' will bring benefits in terms of additional cultural facilities to the town.