A MULTI-million pound regeneration project is set to be a major boost to Leigh's economy.

A partnership between the council and North Leigh Park Group Limited (NLPGL) has been formed to deliver a £310 million comprehensive regeneration of North Leigh – the only key strategic site in the borough allocated for housing in the council's core strategy.

The scheme will benefit areas of Leigh and Hindley and act as a catalyst to further growth in the area and a major boost to the local economy.

The proposals include the delivery of 1,800 quality new homes, 51,000 square metres of new employment space, approximately 19 hectares (47 acres) of green infrastructure, a centre with community and retail uses and create construction and permanent jobs for Leigh people.

The council has also committed to funding the delivery of a major new east-west link road that will join the A578 Leigh Road to the A579 Atherleigh Way.

The road will significantly improve traffic conditions and accessibility in the area, unlocking the site and wider regeneration corridor.

The 185-acre brownfield site is currently scarred by the remnants of its heavy mining and industrial past.

NLPGL will remediate the one site hazards and contamination to provide a safer, cleaner, more sustainable environment for wildlife and the community to access.

On the site there will be formal and informal play areas for children and families as well as nature, fitness and public art trails, water features, dog walking areas and improved ecological habitats to encourage wildlife.

Lord Peter Smith, leader of the council, says that the major investment into the area will significantly boost the borough’s economy.

He said: “Wigan Council is committed to driving the economy forward, creating new jobs for the people of Leigh and the surrounding areas and providing high quality new homes.

“This regeneration project is a fantastic example of the public and private sector working together effectively to make plans become a reality.

“Our vision, which was set out in our Economic Prospectus launched earlier this year, is to create 10,000 new jobs over the next decade, and the regeneration of North Leigh is a significant step forwards in achieving that goal.

“There has been a lot of talk about the northern powerhouse, but we are actually delivering it and making it a reality.”

Paul Jarvis, a spokesman for NLPGL, said: “There is no doubt that the remediation and regeneration of this site will secure a significantly improved environment in the long term and deliver a massive economic stimulus to Leigh and Hindley.

"It will provide much needed new quality housing, high quality business premises, safe managed public open space and wildlife corridors to meet the needs of the present and future generations that live and work in Leigh and Hindley.”

Full remediation of the site is expected to take 18 to 24 months and be completed in 2018.

The progression of the development has been secured by a deal which will see NLPGL buy contaminated land from the council in order to remediate it and the council investing in a new link road.

Paul McKevitt, the council's deputy chief executive, said: “We feel that the best way to deliver the North Leigh scheme is to work with the developer through transferring the contaminated land which they will remediate.

“On the back of the council tax receipts and economic and social impact of the development we feel the investment in the road makes economic sense to help drive the borough forward.

“Details of the capital investment will be included within the council’s capital programme report published later this year as with any such scheme.”