'Significant' development taking shape with 41 affordable council homes on brownfield land

'Significant' development taking shape with 41 affordable council homes on brownfield land

Wigan Council is continuing its investment in high-quality, affordable housing with 41 new council homes being delivered across three sites in Leigh.

Working alongside housebuilder The Casey Group, construction is underway on nine family homes at Briar Grove in Leigh and 24 one-bedroom homes at Keble Grove. Eight bungalows are also being built by Highall Construction at nearby Yates Street.

The developments will each transform previously developed brownfield land, bringing vacant sites back into use and providing much-needed affordable housing for local residents.

Councillor Susan Gambles, portfolio holder for housing and welfare, said: “It’s fantastic to see progress being made at the three social housing sites in Leigh, highlighting the council’s commitment to deliver high-quality, affordable homes in communities where residents want to live.

“Designed to be highly insulated, energy efficient, and genuinely affordable, the developments will help us to meet the priorities of local people and address the growing housing demand across the borough."

With an unprecedented and growing demand for affordable housing across the country, Wigan Council’s new build housing programme was adopted to increase the supply of sustainable, affordable homes across the borough.

A major part of this strategy is to prioritise brownfield development where possible, with the sites at Briar Grove, Yates Street, and Keble Grove previously occupied with garages, housing, and shrub land that was linked to anti-social behaviour.

Since 2019, more than 2,100 affordable homes have so far been delivered across the borough, including around 680 council homes.

Each development will prioritise people on the council housing waiting list with a connection to the local area. The developers have also committed to employing local workers and offering apprenticeship opportunities to students from local schools and colleges.

Councillor Dane Anderton, portfolio holder for regeneration and development, said: “When it comes to house building, the council wants to put forward a brownfield first approach wherever possible, so building houses on sites like these is extremely significant.

“This is the council building our own affordable homes for local residents in the right areas, whilst also working to provide opportunities for young people to put their trades into practice and pave the path for the start of their careers.” 

Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, added: “Increasing the supply of social housing locally has long been a priority of mine, so I’m really pleased to see these new housing sites taking shape. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when the local authority, government and developers work together to deliver the homes our communities need. 

“The transformation so far has been phenomenal and is already having a positive impact on the area. I’m looking forward to seeing local families move into these new homes, and we absolutely need to see more developments like this across our communities, ensuring residents have access to more affordable, high-quality and suitable homes.”