Residents invited to help shape the future of the borough in final Local Plan consultation
Residents, businesses, and community organisations are being urged to have their final say on the council’s Local Plan of future development, which has changed significantly following public feedback.
After listening carefully to public feedback, Wigan Council’s cabinet decided that four employment sites included in a previous draft of the Local Plan will not be taken forward, including land to the north of M6 junction 26, Moss Industrial Estate extension, Bridgewater West in Astley, and West of Winwick Lane in Lowton.
The six housing sites that are still moving forward in the Plan have also been subject to several changes to policy following feedback.
Following the changes to the Plan, which guides how land is used and developed through to 2039, the ‘publication’ stage of consultation will run for six weeks from 5pm on Wednesday, 9 September, until the same time on Wednesday, 21st October.
Councillor Paul Kenny, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport, said: “We have listened to public feedback and made changes to the Local Plan to reflect that feedback. Now, at the publication stage, we want to hear from as many people as possible before the final version is submitted to government at the end of the year.This consultation is another important step in developing the future of our borough and we want residents, businesses, and community groups to help shape this future with us; securing sustainable developments that meet housing shortages and create vibrant places where people can live, work and thrive.”
Closely aligned with the council’s Progress with Unity promises - to create fair opportunities for all and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish – the Local Plan sets out a long-term vision for Wigan Borough until March 2039.
With all councils required by government to have a Local Plan, its purpose is to allocate land to meet future housing and employment needs, deliver sufficient infrastructure to manage future developments, and lead the regeneration of towns and neighbourhoods.
The strategic document also sets out to protect valued green spaces, historical assets, and long-standing communities, with a commitment to preserving the borough’s ‘Greenheart’ of parks, greenspaces, woodlands, and wetlands. Importantly, future planning applications could be rejected if they do not align with an adopted Local Plan.
With the council taking on board feedback from previous rounds of public consultation, an updated report found that the borough’s current land supply is sufficient to meet its baseline employment land requirements, meaning that the Local Plan can continue without the four proposed employment sites.
In order to secure enough housing stock and meet future demands, the six sites proposed for new homes have been retained. These sites, which are not in the greenbelt, include land at North Leigh Park, South Hindley, South of Atherton, East of Atherton, and Landgate in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
However, significant changes have also been made to these sites following public feedback. For example, there are further commitments for flood management provision, more certainty on road infrastructure, reductions in the number of homes, more variety in the mix of house types, and improved walking and cycling connections.
With the South of Hindley site, which proposes a sustainable extension of Hindley with up to 2,000 new homes, the changes state that a new link road must be funded and programmed before any homes are built and occupied. A full investigation and mitigation measures regarding land contamination will also be undertaken for this site.
The updated Plan also requires developers to provide contributions towards the necessary infrastructure needed to support new communities. This could include investment in health and care services, education, community facilities, open space, play areas, sport and recreation provision, and affordable housing.
Councillor Dane Anderton, cabinet portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, added: “A lot of work has gone into this Local Plan to ensure that it reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities and future generations.
As evidenced with the changes to the Plan, we are committed to ensuring that local people have the opportunity to influence the future of our borough, and I want to encourage everyone with an interest in future developments to take part in the final consultation.”
Read more about the draft Local Plan and have your say on the Consultation on the Publication version of the Local Plan
Posted on Friday 11th September 2026