Plans for Wigan’s town centre’s redevelopment are finally set to be debated tonight – despite the plans being approved last month.
Proposals from Wigan council and developers Cityheart Limited for the Galleries shopping centre and market will finally be discussed by all councillors at this evening’s full council meeting (Wednesday December 8).
The plans include the demolition of much of the shopping centre and market to make way for up to 464 homes, a hotel and a ‘multimedia’ centre with a cinema, bowling alley and indoor mini golf, a new market hall with traditional stalls, modern retail units, co-working spaces, small offices and a contemporary food hall.
The proposals, however, have already been approved by Wigan council’s planning committee – back on November 2.
In September, Labour’s Wigan MP Lisa Nandy called for ‘clear committments’ made to holding a full council discussion about the plans to be honoured and more than 5,000 people also signed a petition calling for the controversial plans to be paused.
The MP said she was given assurances earlier in 2021 that all councillors would get their chance to have their say on the plans in a full council debate.
But at the time, Wigan council’s monitoring officer ruled that, according to council policy, the matter could not be debated at full council while there was a live planning application regarding the plans.
Then, Conservative group leader Michael Winstanley didn’t accept this decision.
He said: “I am receiving more and more complaints from residents across the borough about the high-handed manner in which the council are dealing with this very contentious plan.
“It is quite clear that the current plans do not enjoy the support of the people of this borough and urgently need to be reconsidered before it is too late and Wigan town centre is destroyed forever.”
Coun Winstanley made it clear in September he intended to resubmit the motion – which his party has now done.
But now the live planning application has been dealt with, and a decision to approve the plans already made.
Community group, Friends of Wigan Town Centre, has previously slammed the plans as a ‘surprise’ to the community and added ‘all attempts to open dialogue have been blocked’ by the council.
In response to the concerns, a council spokesperson said: “Ensuring people are able to have their say on significant developments, like the Galleries, is very important.”
It is understood the comments and objections received were considered as part of the planning decision-making process at the November 2 meeting.
