PLANS for a major development have been put back on track after being given a £10 million boost by Wigan Council.

North Leigh Park, which includes proposals for 1,700 new homes and 50,000 square metres of employment floor space, was clouded in doubt at the end of 2016 when its majority shareholder, North Leigh Park Group Ltd (NLPGL), went into administration.

After discussions with administrators Deloitte, the council has now agreed to provide the multi-million pound investment for the 185-acre brownfield site project.

It will be used to build a link road from Leigh Road to Westleigh Lane and Atherleigh Way.

The investment is part of the council’s strategic plan to create better east to west road connections across the borough.

Karl Battersby, director for economy and environment at the council, said: “North Leigh Park is a very important strategic site for Wigan borough and it has been a long-term ambition of the council to see it realised.

“It was crucial we kept the scheme moving forward and we have been very pleased to have worked effectively with Deloitte and their advisers, Cromwell Property Group.”

The site needs to be remediated due to the area’s mining, heavy industry and landfill which has taken place over the last 100 years.

This work is expected to start in 2019.

Administrators Deloitte and Wigan Council are also now looking for a development partner to work on the site.

Plans at the site also includes 47 acres of greenspace and a community centre.

The development is part of the council's Economic Prospectus programme to create 10,000 jobs, build 10,000 homes and offer 12,000 positions to apprentices in the next 10 years.