THE first phase of a £300 million regeneration scheme has been given the go-ahead.

Approved by Wigan Council’s planning committee, North Leigh Park will have 162 new homes off Nel Pan Lane as well as a new access point, green open spaces and wildlife corridors.

Karl Battersby, the council’s director for economy and environment, said: “This is great news.

“North Leigh Park is of strategic importance to the 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 the scheme.”

The regeneration scheme is being delivered thanks to a private and public sector partnership between North Leigh Park Group Limited (NLPGL) and the council.

The long term proposals for North Leigh Park includes 1,800 new homes that will form part of the council's future housing supply.

It will also include 51,000 square metres of new employment space, approximately 19 acres of improved strategic green infrastructure and a centre with community uses.

Construction and permanent jobs will be created for borough residents.

The approval of the first detailed plans follows the granting of outline planning permission in February 2013.

North Leigh Park is the only key strategic site in the borough allocated for housing in the borough's core strategy.

The scheme will see a major inward investment of more than £300 million to the benefit of areas of Leigh and Hindley and will act as a catalyst to further economic growth in the borough.

Paul Jarvis, a spokesman for NLPGL, said: “We are delighted that the reserved matters application for the first phase at North Leigh and that access to serve Nel Pan Lane has been passed by the planning committee.

“This is a significant milestone in kick-starting the delivery of the wider regeneration scheme at North Leigh.

"The first phase will deliver 162 high quality new homes off Nel Pan Lane, 26 acres of green open spaces and wildlife corridors as well provide a significant new gateway into the development.

“North Leigh Park Group is now progressing plans for the remediation of the site to provide a safer, cleaner, more sustainable environment for wildlife and local communities for the benefit of current and future generations.”

NLPGL will also deliver a new sports pitch at Howe Bridge to improve play provision and the existing pitches at Marsh Playing Fields on Wigan Road as part of the first phase.

The council has 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.

NLPGL will remediate the brownfield site to provide a safer, cleaner, more sustainable environment for wildlife and communities to access and enjoy, including safe, managed formal and informal play areas for children and families, nature, fitness and public art trails, water features, dog walking and improved ecological habitats to encourage wildlife.

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