Lathams Secures Green Light for £200 Million Pound Regeneration

Derby, United Kingdom, February 02, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Derby-based architecture and urban design practice Lathams has secured unanimous planning permission, listed building and conservation area consent for a £200 million scheme to regenerate part of the historic Wigan Pier Quarter.

The granting of planning consent for the 15 acre Eckersley site, which is bounded by the Leeds Liverpool Canal fronting Wigan Pier and the River Douglas, establishes this as one of the most important regeneration and development projects in the North West.

It is the culmination of over three years’ collaboration between south Manchester-based property development company Maryland Securities Group and Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council planners.

The award-winning masterplan design has been developed by Lathams Director Stuart Hodgkinson along with Manchester architects Hodder + Partners.

The mixed use urban village scheme provides over 300 new homes, commercial and cultural facilities, a new hotel, cafes and restaurants extending to over 1 million sq ft of new build and conversions. Key throughout the scheme are the quality of the built environment and the associated public realm, as well as the careful preservation and re-use of the existing Eckersley heritage.

As well as jointly developing the proposals, Lathams has managed a comprehensive public consultation process, from an initial public exhibition through to the ongoing consultations with key stakeholders which were carried out as the designs evolved. Over 97% of those asked at the public exhibition were in favour of the regeneration proposals. The project has also won support from English Heritage, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, CABE and NWDA.

Maryland MD Jacob Jebreel said: “More than 30 of the country’s top architects and master planners auditioned for this process in a national competition. Following the short listing of the top five contenders, the selection panel was overwhelmed by the fierce competition and quality of innovative proposals submitted for this site and the approved plan reflects this quality.

“We are delighted to receive such wide ranging support and for the significant economic benefits this project gives back to the region.”

Lathams’ Stuart Hodgkinson added: “This is a major step towards an urban regeneration scheme of the highest quality with the potential to consolidate the Wigan Pier Quarter as a leisure and cultural destination of regional and possible national significance.

"Furthermore, these proposals can bring phenomenal economic benefits to the area, attracting up to 100,000 visitors and injecting an estimated £105m to the local area every year. As well as 1,050 construction and delivery jobs, over 1,600 new employment opportunities would be created with £33m per year of wage impact for the local economy.”

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