Maryland’s £200m Wigan town centre scheme wins approval

A £200m regeneration scheme planned for Wigan’s town centra has been given planning consent by the borough’s council.

The scheme, by Cheadle-based Maryland Securities, is proposing the transformation of the 15-acre Eckersley site fronting Wigan pier into a new mixed use urban village containing 300 new homes, commercial and cultural facilitioes, a new hotel, cafes and restaurants.

The planning application proposed one million sq ft of space through both new build and conversion of existing properties,, which the developer said respects the heritage of the Eckersley site.

The proposed scheme, which has been developed as a result of three years’ worth of consultation with the local council, has gained the approval of organisations such as built environment specialists CABE and the Prince’s Regeneration Trust.

“This project will be a major economic boost for Wigan and we appreciate the
detailed work that has been done by the developers and council staff,” said Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council leader Lord Peter Smith. “The real job is for us to deliver the vision and the jobs.”

Around 1,050 construction jobs will be created during the building of the scheme and it is expected that once full, the site will provide employment opportunities for over 1,600 people, plus an ongoing economic benefit of £105m per annum.

Maryland managing director Jacob Jebreel said: “We are delighted to receive such wide ranging support and for the significant economic benefits this project gives back to the region.”

The site already contains around 40 existing businesses, but Maryland said that they would be unaffected by the new scheme, which will be delivered in phases over severay years. It is also promising to upgrade existing units to include enhanced security measures.

NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “Eckersley Mills is one of the most important iconic Victorian buildings in the region. It is important that it is now allowed to be sympathetically developed in order for it to fulfil new economic potential for a post-industrial age.

“I am very pleased the planning committee has recognised this.”