£135m Wigan Galleries development set for approval

The proposed £135m redevelopment of the Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan is set to be approved by planners in a major step forward for the scheme. If the hybrid application by joint applicants, Cityheart and Wigan Council is granted, work is expected to start on site in January next year.More than 700 full time equivalent jobs will be created once the site is operational and demolition and construction works will generate demand for around 1,900 construction workers.An anticipated four-year construction programme means that an average of 380 workers will be supported each year during the demolition and construction phase.A full planning application will be considered by Wigan Council’s planning committee for the demolition of various buildings on site.The buildings include the existing Wigan Market and The Galleries Shopping Centre buildings and structures.In their place would be four residential blocks totalling 218 units, two commercial units, a four/six storey hotel and a pavillion to include a food and beverage establishment and events space.Plans also include a new Market Hall with market stalls, food and beverage stalls, coworking space and ancillary facilities within the existing Marketgate Shopping Centre centre.There will also be associated highway works, works to basement, car parking, outdoors events space, public realm and ancillary works. An outline planning application will also be discussed for the erection of four plots of up to eight stories.These will include a maximum of 265 residential units, 10,763 sq ft commercial floorspace and a multi-media centre including a multiscreen cinema, multipurpose event space, bowling alley, indoor mini good and food and beverage units up to a limit of 99,566 sq ft. Access, parking, servicing and public realm would also be included, with all matters apart from access reservedThe hybrid application has now been recommended to be approved with conditions.Wigan Council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday, 2 November.