A HOUSING development on a former colliery site in Leigh has been received an award for its pioneering green design.

The Pennington Wharf development is being built on land once occupied by Bickershaw colliery, which closed in 1992.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham, Wigan councillors and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) joined builders Taylor Wimpey and new residents at a presentation in one of the new homes on the site.

Deborah McLaughlin, the HCA’s executive director in the North West, said: “I am delighted that Pennington Wharf has won an award.

“This success has been achieved through ourselves, Taylor Wimpey and our other partners working together closely to ensure the development would meet strict sustainability criteria."

The development will create 471 sustainable two, three and four bedroom homes over the next eight years, and there are plans for a marina, cafe, a community centre, a family pub and a shop.

All of the new homes will meet a strict Code for Sustainable Homes standards, which will lower their environmental footprints and reduce running costs for the homeowners.

Chloe Dunn, of Taylor Wimpey Manchester, said: “Pennington Wharf has continued to attract interest since we launched last year. This is a credit to the fantastic range of homes."buying schemes and sustainable attributes which the development boasts.

“We’re thrilled that this has been widely recognised through the CEEQUAL Award, and we look forward to offering more Wigan home-hunters some viable options to progress on the housing ladder as the scheme evolves.”