By Nick Jackson
Investment for major projects in the Wigan area is predicted to hit nearly 拢1bn in the decade until 2028, according to a report to the town鈥檚 council cabinet. The long-awaited study, authored by director place Aiden Thatcher, was described by council leader Cllr David Molyneux as 鈥榳orth waiting for鈥 at a cabinet meeting. He said: “I was looking forward to this report coming to cabinet and having read it, I鈥檓 even more excited now. It clearly shows the amount of investment that鈥檚 taking place across the borough.” Public investment in schools, housing, parks, and the borough鈥檚 town centres between 2018 and 2024 hit 拢521m, with a further 拢479m planned until 2028. Private sector projects like the delivery of more than 8,000 new homes, big regeneration schemes like Fettlers and Cotton Works and strategic partnerships like the Civic AI Innovation Hub have also been hailed. Still in the pipeline are the ongoing redevelopment of Haigh Hall, investment into Leigh and Ashton-in-Makerfield town centres, Hope School and major housing upgrades. Cllr Molyneux hailed the report, saying the Fettlers town centre development – formerly The Galleries – will generate 拢5m in social value and more than 450 jobs. Plans to develop skills in the digital and green sector and improve transport connectivity with a possible Metrolink connection to Leigh were also highlighted. Cllr Nazia Rehman, who is the council鈥檚 portfolio holder for finance, resources and transformation, also welcomed the report, saying: 鈥淲e are in a challenging edocnomic climate, but we have been successful in attracting this investment, not only from the public sector but also from the private sector as well, is very encouraging. 鈥淚 hope our residents can exploit the social value elements this brings.鈥 Deputy leader of the council Coun Keith Cunliffe added: 鈥淧eople of the borough can also benefit from all the developments taking place in Greater Manchester, particularly the opportunities to improve transport links. 鈥淭here is a lot happening, but there鈥檚 potential for much more to boost opportunities for local people.鈥 The report underlined the 拢31.4m investment of combined Levelling Up funding and the Plan for Neighbourhoods for Leigh town centre. In Asthon-in-Makerfield town centre, there is to be a new civic square and revitalised public realm. At Hope School, a state-of-the-art facility will support inclusive education and skills development. Meanwhile, some 拢341m is being invested in social home development via Wigan 鈥檚 Housing Revenue Account. Mr Thatcher鈥檚 report said: 鈥淭he council is actively enabling private investment and external funding to support our shared ambitions.鈥 It said that the Wigan Station Gateway and work on a 鈥榬efreshed plan鈥 for Leigh would be 鈥榢ey enablers of growth鈥 along with a 鈥榲ision鈥 for a health and care university centre and improved transport connectivity, including a Metrolink to Leigh. 鈥淧ublic sector capital investment from 2018/19 to 2027/28 will total nearly 拢1bn,鈥 his report said. 鈥淭his has leveraged significant private investment, estimated at 拢1.5 to 拢2bn in housing alone, demonstrating the multiplier effect of public-led regeneration.鈥