Wigan includes the town centre, Leigh, and Ashton-in-Makerfield. About 55.7% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping suburban edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for industrial heritage, historic streets, and market towns, planning balances residential, commercial, and conversion projects with conservation.
In the last year Wigan decided 708 applications which is well below the national average of 980. The approval rate was 85% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 43% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Wigan performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
"We love helping clients win Planning Permission in Wigan"
Housing Supply in Wigan
Wigan currently reports a five-year housing land supply of 6.1 years (updated June 2026). This is moderately above the national requirement. Compared with other authorities in the North West, Wigan has a strong housing land supply position.
Conservation and Listed Buildings
Wigan has a historic environment shaped by its industrial and market town origins, with several Conservation Areas and a number of listed buildings across the borough. Heritage constraints are particularly evident within the Wigan Town Centre Conservation Area and Haigh Village Conservation Area, where civic architecture, historic streetscape, and estate landscapes define local character.
One of the top reasons heritage building applications are refused is causing harm to historic significance, a risk that can arise when proposals are not prepared by a consultant with heritage expertise. We help minimise this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.
Green Belt Approvals in Wigan
Significantly, 55.7% of Wigan is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt around Wigan protects the villages of Standish, Shevington, and Aspull, preserving former mining landscapes, wetlands, and agricultural land, which are particularly sensitive to development pressure and play a key role in preventing coalescence between Wigan, Bolton, and the wider Greater Manchester conurbation.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Planning Applications in Wigan
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
Planning Permissions by PAA in Wigan
- Full Planning Application + Conservation: Conversion of former bank into ground-floor retail unit with two apartments on first and second floors within Hindley Conservation Area. →
Contextual Planning Support in Wigan
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
Wigan includes the town centre, Leigh, and Ashton-in-Makerfield. About 55.7% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping suburban edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for industrial heritage, historic streets, and market towns, planning balances residential, commercial, and conversion projects with conservation.
In the last year Wigan decided 708 applications which is well below the national average of 980. The approval rate was 85% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 43% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Wigan performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
"We love helping clients win Planning Permission in Wigan"
Housing Supply in Wigan
Wigan currently reports a five-year housing land supply of 6.1 years (updated June 2026). This is moderately above the national requirement. Compared with other authorities in the North West, Wigan has a strong housing land supply position.
Conservation and Listed Buildings
Wigan has a historic environment shaped by its industrial and market town origins, with several Conservation Areas and a number of listed buildings across the borough. Heritage constraints are particularly evident within the Wigan Town Centre Conservation Area and Haigh Village Conservation Area, where civic architecture, historic streetscape, and estate landscapes define local character.
One of the top reasons heritage building applications are refused is causing harm to historic significance, a risk that can arise when proposals are not prepared by a consultant with heritage expertise. We help minimise this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.
Green Belt Approvals in Wigan
Significantly, 55.7% of Wigan is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt around Wigan protects the villages of Standish, Shevington, and Aspull, preserving former mining landscapes, wetlands, and agricultural land, which are particularly sensitive to development pressure and play a key role in preventing coalescence between Wigan, Bolton, and the wider Greater Manchester conurbation.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Planning Applications in Wigan
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
Planning Permissions by PAA in Wigan
- Full Planning Application + Conservation: Conversion of former bank into ground-floor retail unit with two apartments on first and second floors within Hindley Conservation Area. →
Contextual Planning Support in Wigan
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
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