Wigan Borough will have benefitted from £1bn of inward investment by 2028, a cabinet report has revealed.

The scale of the investment in infrastructure, regeneration and housing has unlocked private sector backing in the borough, it adds.

The council’s capital investment programme for the period 2018 to 2028 – incorporating external funding, government allocations, developer contributions and council resources – is expected to reach £1bn.

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “This level of investment in our borough is significant and it is important to note the impact of our economic strategy on private sector confidence.

“We are seeing private regeneration of key sites and heritage assets across the borough, boosted by the impact of public redevelopment projects in our town centres.

“Plus, our proactive approach to providing housing options has fostered positive working relationships with national bodies and developers to help meet our housing needs.”

The report references that the council has invested £521m in capital projects between 2018 to 2024, with a further £479m of planned investment up to 2028.

This has been ‘drawn from a mix of external funding, government allocations, developer contributions and council resources’ and has been ‘instrumental in shaping places and creating the conditions for private sector confidence and growth’, the report adds.

Redevelopment projects for Wigan, Leigh and Ashton town centres, Haigh Hall, the Civic Centre and Hope School are also highlighted, along with major private developments of Eckersley Mills, Civic and a logistics hub at junction 25 of the M6.

The report also outlines how the development projects have generated wider social value benefits.

Councillor Molyneux added: “Our economic strategy is playing a huge role in delivering our Progress With Unity missions to create fair opportunities and helping our communities flourish.

“These figures are not just about infrastructure, it’s about unlocking potential, sharing social value and building resilience.”

Posted on Thursday 3rd July 2025