Proposed Development

West Leigh Waterfront

Leigh, WN7 4QE

Taylor Wimpey has submitted a reserved matters planning application for 470 homes.

The outline planning permission granted on this site established the principle of residential development on the site. Taylor Wimpey have now submitted an application called the Reserved Matters, which will seek approval for the layout, scale and appearance of our homes and the landscaping proposals with a view to begin construction during 2025 and residents moving into their homes in late 2026. To see a copy of the application, please click here.

The approved development will also deliver the necessary drainage infrastructure, public open space, new public routes across the site, enhancements to the canal side and a new bridge over the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Two new vehicular accesses to serve the development will be created in the form of a new three arm roundabout on Plank Lane and a new arm to the existing roundabout on Firs Lane.

Some images are used for illustrative purposes only and may include optional upgrades, subject to availability and at additional cost. Development managed by Taylor Wimpey Manchester.

Our proposals for West Leigh Waterfront

Homes proposed

Taylor Wimpey have submitted our reserved matters planning applications for 470 new homes on land off Plank Lane and Firs Lane, Leigh. Please click here to see a copy of our application.

The creation of a neighbourhood which integrates with the existing community. We are proposing a mix of detached, semi-detached and mews homes ranging in size, between two and four bedrooms.

The incorporation of significant areas of public open space (POS) and green corridors into the scheme, as well as the enhancement of the existing public rights of way to encourage accessibility to the canal by means of foot and cycle

The provision of two main vehicular access points; a fourth arm will be added to the existing roundabout which connects Wigan Road, Twist Lane and Plank Lane and a new roundabout on Plank Lane. An east-west primary road will link the two access points.

Updates on our proposals can be seen here.

History of the site

The Canal & River Trust and Wigan Council secured outline planning permission in 2017 to build up to 470 homes on land off Plank Lane and Firs Lane (ref. A/16/82492/OUTMES).

The site is located within the settlement boundary of Leigh, the 20.79 hectare site is located along the northern edge of the Leeds/Liverpool Canal. The site is desirably located between the Pennington Flash Country Park which is south of the canal and former Bickershaw Colliery, now the Pennington Wharf Development which is home to the Pennington Wharf Marina.

The undeveloped site is currently rough grassland, areas of woodland and tree groups interspersed through the site. Two formal Public Right of Way (PRoW) and some informal foot path networks traverse the site providing connectivity between the canal running along the southern boundary and existing residential property to the northern boundary.

Community benefits

We want to create a thriving new community in Leigh. Our plans for West Leigh Waterfront are in line with planning permission

We will be making financial contributions towards the provision of two classrooms and associated facilities at Christ Church C of E Primary School on West Bridgewater Street in Leigh. Furthermore, an anticipated £16.5 million additional Gross Value Added (GVA) per year from direct and indirect jobs.

An estimated £7.4 million the residents of the new development are expected to spend per year Additional local authority income

Once people move in, an additional £2,585,000 is estimated to be spent in the local area on goods and services to make their new houses feel like a home.

Council tax receipts on the new homes will equate to (approx.) £603,900 per year. An additional £3,331,300 in New Homes Bonus Payments will be granted to the Council which includes an additional allowance for the affordable housing provision.

In line with the outline planning approval, 25% of the new homes will be ‘affordable homes’.

Open Spaces

The creation of a waterside link from our Pennington Wharf scheme (the former Bickershaw Colliery), establishing the waterfront as a destination. We are also providing a new bridge over the Leeds-Liverpool Canal which will significantly enhance connectivity for existing and new residents.

As part of our proposals we will be including play equipment in the form of a LEAP provision and some ‘play on the way’ equipment which will be part of the linear canal-side park. This public open space will be provided for the enjoyment of new and existing residents.

News

The site is within Wigan’s canal ‘corridor’ and its development will create a number of positive benefits for residents and businesses. The site will deliver new homes in a sustainable location and will enhance key routes and access along the Leeds/Liverpool Canal for existing and new residents. The development will also bring a number of economic benefits to the local area.

Taylor Wimpey has submitted our reserved matters planning application for 470 new homes at land off Plank Lane and Firs Lane, Leigh. To see a copy of our application, please click here.

Anticipated timescale
Submit reserved matters planning application - Summer 2020
Determination at planning committee - End 2022
Start on site - Summer 2025
First homes occupied – Late 2026