Wigan Council has appointed Persimmon Homes as its preferred development partner to build more than 450 homes on the former Westwood power station site, known as Westwood Park.
The brownfield site, close to the A49 link road and around a kilometre south of Wigan town centre, closed as a power station in 1986. Part of the 58-acre site is also earmarked for employment space.
New community planned for brownfield site
The council described the site as 'pivotal in shaping the town's future'. It had previously been set to become one of Europe's biggest landfill sites after its power station use ended.
The council said there is a 'unique opportunity to deliver high-quality green infrastructure around Westwood Park due to its proximity to the flashes of Wigan and Leigh, protecting and strengthening the surrounding green spaces and natural habitats'.
Affordable homes and green space
Coun Susan Gambles, portfolio holder for housing and welfare, said: "The proposals at Westwood Park represent a major opportunity to transform a former power station into a new sustainable community that can deliver the homes, jobs, and investment that our borough needs.
"Importantly, these proposals also include a provision of genuinely affordable homes, which will help future generations take their first step onto the housing ladder and remain in the communities they want to call home."
Westwood Flash lies to the west of the development area, with the Leeds-Liverpool canal and existing employment development to the north. Most of the site is cleared, apart from three buildings, one of which is Grade II listed, a substation and surface car parking near office buildings.
A further Grade II listed building, Westwood Hall, was destroyed by fire in 2022, with what remained subsequently demolished.
Investment and employment ambitions
Coun Dane Anderton, portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, added: "We are ambitious for the future of our borough and the proposals at Westwood Park are a perfect example of this ambition.
"The proposals aim to bring significant investment into a brownfield site that has naturally evolved and re-greened over time.
"Not only will the proposals help to meet local housing and employment demands, they will also enhance the surrounding environment, provide greater access to green spaces, and reduce pressure on greenfield land elsewhere in the borough.
"This is sustainable good growth: creating opportunity for residents, delivering skilled jobs and affordable homes, strengthening communities, and safeguarding green spaces to build a stronger future for our borough."
