WIGAN Council says it is fighting to keep a major regeneration scheme for Leigh alive despite the company steering the multi-million pound development having gone into administration.

The council formed a partnership with North Leigh Park Group Limited (NLPGL) to bring 1,800 new homes and employment land to former industrial wasteland.

The £310 million regeneration plans for north Leigh include the delivery of 51,000 square metres of new employment space, approximately 19 hectares (47 acres) of green infrastructure, a centre with community and retail uses and creating a large number of construction and permanent jobs for the town's residents.

But some of Guernsey-based Long Port Properties Ltd's companies have gone into administration, including NLPGL, throwing the project into doubt.

The council has confirmed it is in talks with administrators Deloitte and is 'hopeful' of the plans, which also include the building of a major new east-west link road joining the A578 Leigh Road to the A579 Atherleigh Way, coming to fruition.

Karl Battersby, director of economy and environment at the council, said: “We are committed to working with the administrators and all parties involved in North Leigh Park to maintain the progress that has been made in recent years.

“We know there is significant interest and desire among both the private and public sectors to achieve the vision for high quality housing on this important site for the borough.

“We are hopeful that with all parties working together progress will soon be made and the plans for remediation of the site, a new link road and new housing and employment space will be realised in the coming years.”

The first phase of the development, which would see 162 high quality homes built off Nel Park Lane in Leigh, was approved last year.

At the time council leader Lord Peter Smith said: “The North Leigh Park scheme is of strategic importance to the Wigan borough in delivering the quantity and quality of housing that our residents will desperately need in the coming years.

“The major investment into the area will significantly boost the borough’s economy and deliver a huge number of jobs, not only in the construction of the scheme but also in the employment sites that are part of it.”