A plan to transform a derelict former colliery site into an exciting new country park for the borough is about to be brought to life as part of a special exhibition at Leigh Town Hall.
The multi-million pound project to breathe new life into to old mining site at Bickershaw will take centre-stage on Thursday March 5 with a display in the foyer of the town hall between 6pm and 8pm.
The project, which is a partnership between Wigan Council, the Homes and Communities Agency (formerly English Partnerships), Groundwork and others, will see a 190-hectare country park with a host of attractions created over the next few years.
These include an 18-hole golf course, nine-hole ‘pitch and putt’, golf driving range, visitors’ centre and activity island.
Plans on display will include the designs for the Visitors’ Centre created by award-winning architects Maccreanor Lavington.
The site plans also include proposals for new footpaths, landscaped areas and improvements to the existing natural habitats.
The event is being hosted by Groundwork Community Engagement Manager, Michael Scarisbrick, who says:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people in Leigh and the wider borough to have a look at the plans for the most exciting development in Leigh today.
“Not only will local people have a chance to view the plans but they will be able to discuss them with some of the project partners.”
The Rushes is set to open to the public within the next 18 months, with the first game of golf teeing off in 2011.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Champion for the Environment Cllr David Molyneux says:
“This is another project where we are looking to the future while keeping a sense of respect for the past.
“Nature is already beginning to reclaim a foothold on the former slag heaps and flashes and we are more than happy to help this along.
“We have talked with many individuals and communities about plans for The Rushes and seen a great number of people have their say and express their views on the subject. It will be great to see all these elements come to life in the form of the plans and artists’ impression which will be on display so I would urge everyone to come along and take a look.”
