Construction of 24 one-bedroom council homes in Leigh is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with rents set at around 40 per cent below market rate.
Development details
The homes will be built between Keble Grove and Kingsley Street in Leigh and will be owned by Wigan Council. Ward councillor Dane Anderton said the houses will be occupied by 'people on the social waiting list with a local connection'.
Residents living near the development have received a letter from the council outlining the start of construction. The letter states: "We can confirm that construction works are scheduled to commence from September, 2026."
Construction timeline
The anticipated build programme is approximately 15 months, with completion expected towards the end of 2027. The council said residents will be notified in advance of any temporary road closures, traffic management arrangements or deliveries of large materials and equipment.
Contractor P. Casey Ltd will write to local residents shortly to introduce themselves and provide direct contact details for the site management team. Some limited activity, including site clearance and fencing installation, may be noticed during August.
Rent and allocation
Councillor Anderton said the homes will be council-owned, general needs housing, let at a social rent – typically around 40 per cent below market rent. He added: "The homes will be allocated through the council's housing waiting list, with a local lettings policy also expected to apply."
Wigan Council said once built, the properties would be mainly let to single people in need of council accommodation, although couples may also be considered for some units. The scheme has been designed to meet local housing needs, and all homes will be owned and managed by the council.
Site improvements
The plans include off-street parking for each home, gardens with new tree planting, and improvement of the open space on Keble Grove with a new landscaping scheme. Councillor Anderton said: "The area will also be enhanced with new paths and managed green space with additional tree planting."
