Q3 2026 · As at 13 September 2026
Wigan & Leigh Regeneration & Investment Briefing
Funding, places and delivery.
Contents of this edition
Funding, places and delivery. A briefing for the organisations bringing forward homes and regeneration across the borough.
A practical guide to funding routes, local programmes and the organisations turning sites and neighbourhood priorities into delivery. For organisations delivering housing and regeneration in Wigan & Leigh.
Dates and decisions to watch
| As at 13 September 2026 | Published position |
|---|---|
| Local Plan consultation | Publication version open 9 September–21 October 2026. Representations close at 5pm on 21 October. [5] |
| GMCA affordable housing | Good Growth Fund applications are rolling, with no fixed deadline; subject to funding and priorities. [3] |
| Leigh project call | Closed; applications under evaluation. Use the board mailing list for future calls. [25] |
| Phase-two neighbourhoods | National Pride in Place plan submission milestone: 30 November 2026. [30] |
Figures in this briefing cover different programmes, geographies and periods. They should not be added into a single borough investment total.
The funding landscape
Up to £46 billion over ten years
Homes England and its subsidiary, the National Housing Bank, have up to £46 billion to deploy across England to 2036. These are the principal streams. [1]
The joint Investment Prospectus, published on 31 March 2026 ahead of the Bank’s opening on 1 April, brings grant, land and finance into one framework. The Bank aims to attract more than £50 billion of additional private capital over the decade.
| Stream | Amount | What it funds / who it reaches |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026–2036 | At least £27bn outside London. £39bn nationally, including London | Capital grant for social and affordable rent, shared ownership, supported housing and estate regeneration. Registered Providers, councils, housebuilders and community-led organisations, through continuous market engagement or strategic partnerships. |
| Housing and Infrastructure Capital Grant | About £3.1bn. Homes England’s share of the £5bn national pot* | Land assembly, remediation and strategic infrastructure; dedicated viability-gap support planned for later in 2026/27. Councils, developers and landowners with sites the market cannot unlock alone. |
| National Housing Delivery Fund (debt, equity and guarantees) | Up to £16bn | Loans, equity and guarantees, including funding that may be devolved to mayoral authorities. Housebuilders, Registered Providers, funds and lending partners. |
*The prospectus describes the agency’s share as £3.1bn, subject to final confirmation. These are programme envelopes, not a ring-fenced allocation to Wigan & Leigh.
Programme milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 31 March / 1 April 2026 | Investment Prospectus published / National Housing Bank opens |
| 25 August 2026 | First wave: £9.58bn to 33 strategic partners outside London [2] |
| Later in 2026/27 | Dedicated viability-gap grant planned [1] |
| To 2036 | Ten-year programme period |
Land, grant and finance can be combined around the needs of a scheme.
Grant, land and finance
Which support fits a scheme depends less on its size than on what is holding it up: a funding gap, a difficult site, or the tenure of the homes to be delivered. [1]
| Family | Product | Purpose | Typical user |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | Social and Affordable Homes Programme | Affordable tenures, supported housing and estate regeneration | RPs, councils, developer partners |
| Grant | Housing and Infrastructure Capital Grant | Viability gaps, infrastructure, land assembly and remediation | Councils, landowners, master developers |
| Land | Homes England land | Acquisition, enabling and disposal through sale, lease, development agreement or joint venture | Developers of all sizes |
| Finance | SME Accelerator Loan | Site finance for smaller builders establishing a track record | SME housebuilders |
| Finance | Revolving credit facility | Multi-site support alongside commercial lenders | Growing builders |
| Finance | Senior and mezzanine debt | Project funding for build to rent, later living and brownfield schemes | Developers and funds |
| Finance | Corporate lending | Balance-sheet finance for growth, including modern methods of construction | Housebuilders |
| Finance | Infrastructure loans | Long-term finance, up to 15 years, for upfront infrastructure | Developers and councils |
| Finance | Low-interest RP loans | Unlocking capital investment in social and affordable homes | Registered Providers |
| Finance | Equity | Minority investment in vehicles typically delivering more than 3,000 homes | Funds and partnerships |
| Finance | Guarantees | Bonds and loans to reduce institutional financing costs | Funds and RPs |
Two grant routes in Greater Manchester. Housing and infrastructure grant is normally expected to come first through GMCA’s integrated settlement. Social and Affordable Homes Programme grant remains administered by Homes England. The National Housing Bank makes its own finance decisions while working alongside the agency.
Greater Manchester routes
How the regional routes fit together
For a Wigan or Leigh scheme, the first conversation depends on the funding gap. Homes England and GMCA have complementary roles; a regional headline figure is not a borough award.
First-wave SAHP estimate for Greater Manchester
£529m · c.4,400 homes
Estimated strategic-partnership spend and homes across the city-region in the August announcement. The release does not give a Wigan & Leigh allocation. [2]
| Scheme requirement | Route to establish | What to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Social and affordable homes | Homes England’s SAHP, through strategic partnership or continuous market engagement. | Eligible tenure, delivery partner, grant requirement and programme timing. [1] |
| Land, infrastructure or abnormal costs | Wigan Council and GMCA; the integrated settlement is normally the first route for housing and infrastructure grant. | Why the site cannot proceed, what intervention unlocks it and the local strategic case. [1] |
| Additional affordable-housing support | GMCA’s Good Growth Fund social and affordable housing team. | SAHP should be secured or actively progressing; explain the remaining gap and deliverability. [3] |
| Debt, equity or guarantees | National Housing Bank via Homes England. | Borrower or investment structure, commercial funding, security and the route to repayment. [1] |
Good Growth Fund: current position. Affordable-housing applications are rolling, with no fixed deadline and subject to available funding. Most other GGF applications start through the relevant local authority. The published July transport, city-densification and innovation calls closed on 4 August; these rounds are now closed. [3]
Practical implication. Keep one scheme funding schedule that identifies each source, eligible cost, outstanding decision and condition. Ask the funders to agree which costs their contributions support and how those contributions fit together.
Regional ambitions to design for
GM’s published priorities include 10,000 energy-efficient Social Rent homes by 2030. Places for Everyone, covering nine GM authorities, seeks 50,000 affordable homes by 2039, including 30,000 for social or affordable rent. These are regional ambitions across delivery routes. [21]
Who decides and public contacts
Who decides what
Funding, planning and delivery sit with different organisations. Identify the decision you need before choosing the first conversation.
- Homes England / National Housing Bank. Homes England takes final SAHP funding and contractual decisions. The Bank assesses its finance investments. [1,18]
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Shapes regional priorities, tenure mix and priority sites; aligns investment through the Integrated Pipeline. [3,21]
- Wigan Council. Local housing need, planning and council land; accountable body for neighbourhood funding. Developer Hub is the public entry point for land enquiries. [10,17]
- Neighbourhood boards. Develop local plans with the community and shape investment priorities. Council accountability and national programme requirements still apply. [29,30]
- Scheme owner and delivery team. The RP, council or developer assembles the scheme, appoints its team and manages delivery. Establish the actual commissioning organisation. [16]
Public routes for the next conversation
| Enquiry | Public route |
|---|---|
| National grant / finance | enquiries@homesengland.gov.uk |
| GMCA housing / infrastructure | Good Growth Fund teams and funding guidance |
| Wigan land / housing | Housing Enabling and Development Team |
| Neighbourhood projects | Pride in Place programme and board pages |
| Planning / procurement | Local Plan consultation · The Chest |
A useful first enquiry names the site, landowner, proposed use, delivery lead, funding gap and next decision. Attach a concise programme and explain what the requested intervention changes.
Accessing programme grant
A route for smaller providers
A first-wave strategic allocation is one route into delivery. Continuous Market Engagement also gives eligible organisations a direct route to Homes England.
Continuous Market Engagement
Open for individual schemes and portfolios, while funding remains available. Designed to accommodate smaller partners, new entrants and complex projects. [19]
Strategic partnerships
Programme-level allocations support delivery at scale. The initial bidding round closed on 15 April 2026; future rounds will be announced. [18]
| Route | Practical fit and requirements |
|---|---|
| CME general | A direct scheme bid. Establish eligible tenure, costs, delivery readiness and grant need with Homes England. [18,19] |
| CME portfolio | Discuss the pipeline before bidding. Initial portfolios normally deliver 300–500 homes; named sites should start by 31 March 2028 and complete by 31 March 2032. [19] |
| Delivery partnership | An eligible RP or council can work with a strategic partner under the programme’s delivery-partner rules. Owning the funded homes is a different role from supplying construction services. [18,20] |
Before a grant application
Organisations need Homes England Investment Partner qualification to receive grant. New partners can apply for that status alongside the funding application. Programme qualification and regulatory registration are separate steps. [19]
The bid should show how it meets local housing need and regional priorities. Greater Manchester seeks at least 60% Social Rent through SAHP, alongside supported housing, regeneration and better alternatives to temporary accommodation or costly care settings. [21]
How to prepare the discussion
Bring a site schedule, proposed tenure mix, cost plan, planning position, delivery programme and confirmation of the intended landlord. Explain what is ready now and which dependencies still need resolving.
Places and programmes
Town-centre renewal, affordable homes and council land opportunities sit at different stages. Establish the live phase and the organisation commissioning it.
Fettlers / Wigan
464 homes in the scheme scope
The council project page lists 464 homes. Its August update expects Wigan Market at Fettlers to open in spring 2027, operated by the council. [6,7]
Confirm which housing, market, hotel or infrastructure phase is being commissioned.
Leigh town centre
2026–2027 public-realm milestones
The council announced Civic Square’s launch for 12 September 2026. Market refurbishment is planned for early 2027, with temporary trading in Spinning Gate. [8]
Plan business continuity, access and long-term maintenance alongside the works.
West Leigh council homes
41 affordable homes
The March update identifies Briar Grove (9), Yates Street (8) and Keble Grove (24), across three brownfield sites. [9]
Check subsequent updates before describing a site as starting, completed or open to tender.
Council land opportunities
Sites at a range of scales
The Developer Hub lists larger sites, clusters and smaller infill opportunities. Some have already received expressions of interest. [17]
Establish current availability, title, disposal and planning position with the council.
Pride in Place: three boards
Three boards, three local plans
Leigh, Platt Bridge & Spring View, and Marsh Green & Laithwaite each have £20m over ten years. Their boards shape local priorities. [10–13]
| Neighbourhood | Published position / next conversation |
|---|---|
| Leigh | Government-approved outline plan. The June project call is closed and applications are being assessed. Council is accountable body. Follow the board’s project updates. [25,26] |
| Platt Bridge & Spring View | Phase-two area. September board agenda and resident survey published; initial engagement underway. Use the board process to establish priorities and the next decision point. [12] |
| Marsh Green & Laithwaite | Phase-two area. August minutes, September agenda and resident survey published. Check the emerging plan and selection process; priorities will be locally determined. [13] |
Bring a project that can be delivered
Need, ownership and consent. Explain who benefits and how the proposal responds to residents. Identify land control, a delivery lead, consents and dependencies.
Capital and continuing costs. Set out works, development costs and contingency, then identify the asset owner, operating budget and maintenance responsibility.
National guidance sets a 30 November 2026 plan milestone for these phase-two areas. Boards must have at least eight members; at least 51% should live or work locally. Public contact routes: page 6 (see Who decides and public contacts). [29,30]
Local investment and project calls
Different pots, different decisions
Leigh’s town-centre works, its neighbourhood plan and Wigan’s Impact Fund operate at different scales and on different timetables.
Over £32m · Leigh’s published town-centre investment headline [22]
| Component | What the headline includes |
|---|---|
| Over £12m | UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Levelling Up Fund investment in the town centre: public space, connections, shopfronts and the market. [22] |
| £20m over ten years | Leigh’s Pride in Place programme. This is already included in the headline above and in the borough’s three-neighbourhood total. [22] |
Funding note: the overview gives over £12m UKSPF/LUF; the 7 September update cites £11.4m of government funding. The sources do not reconcile the difference; these are not additional pots. [8,22]
The May 2025 update reported over £800,000 in building grants progressing with businesses, within the programme. [23]
Leigh: project call closed, assessment underway
| Fund | Purpose / latest published position |
|---|---|
| The Leigh Fund | Medium-to-large capital and revenue projects. The June 2026 call is closed; the board is evaluating applications. [25] |
| Community Fund | Revenue grants up to £2,000 for small community-led activity. Included in the same closed call; use the mailing list for future opportunities. [25] |
The May launch described around £7m for the April 2026–March 2030 investment period. That is a phase of the £20m programme. An approved outline plan does not mean every proposed project has funding. [25,26]
Wigan Pride in Place Impact Fund
£1.5m · £750,000 in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 for physical improvements. [24]
Target wards: Atherton North, Hindley, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan West and Ince. [31]
The council identifies target areas outside Leigh town centre, Platt Bridge & Spring View, and Marsh Green & Laithwaite. This is not extra funding for those three neighbourhood programmes. [32]
Funding must be committed by 31 March 2027; uncommitted sums must be returned. [24]
Housing partners and local need
Homes, partners and local need
The council’s 2026–2031 strategy sets a direction of 972 homes a year, with attention to affordable, supported and older people’s housing. [4]
| Partner / example | Documented local delivery |
|---|---|
| Torus / Frog Lane | 60 Affordable Rent homes. Torus records completion in January 2025, with Casey Group as contractor and Homes England / council partnership. [14] |
| Jigsaw Homes / The Seasons, phase 2 | April 2026 update: 24 houses with Keepmoat, across Social Rent and Shared Ownership. July completion was forecast; handover against that forecast has not been independently confirmed. [15] |
| Your Housing Group / Waterside Point | The council strategy records 236 affordable homes: 123 Shared Ownership and 113 Affordable Rent, on former industrial land in Leigh. [4] |
| Prima / HPBC / St William’s | The council strategy describes 27 affordable homes in Ince through Prima and Housing People, Building Communities. [4] |
These are examples of local activity, not a complete provider list, procurement shortlist or evidence of a new SAHP award.
For development and asset teams
Agree tenure, accessible homes and support needs before fixing the unit mix. Bring the operator into the appraisal: nominations, management, service charges and whole-life maintenance. Keep new-supply budgets separate from existing-stock investment.
Delivery and the supply chain
From scheme assembly to appointment
The national programme supports delivery through councils, Registered Providers and developers. The local supply chain enters through their projects, procurement routes and contractor packages.
| Stage | Lead organisations | Specialist input |
|---|---|---|
| 01 · Site and viability | Council estates, landowner, developer, RP, funders | Land and planning advice, valuation, surveys and abnormal-cost assessment |
| 02 · Enabling | Council, developer, Homes England / GMCA where relevant | Ground investigation, remediation, ecology, civils and utilities |
| 03 · Funding and agreement | RP, developer, public funder, lender | Legal, cost advice, programme and development finance |
| 04 · Design and consent | Client team, architect, planning authority | Architecture, engineering, arboriculture and technical coordination |
| 05 · Construction | Main contractor and client delivery team | Groundworks, structure, roofing, M&E, scaffolding and site services |
| 06 · Handover and operation | RP asset team, council or other operator | Commissioning, landscaping, compliance and maintenance |
Finding the actual route to work
Wigan Council identifies The Chest as its primary tender and bid-submission portal. Its procurement page also links to Find a Tender and a 2025–2027 procurement timeline. A pipeline entry is a forecast; the live notice establishes the requirements and timetable. [16]
RP and developer appointments have their own routes. Confirm whether work is being commissioned directly, through a framework or by a main contractor. A funding announcement does not itself create an open invitation to tender.
Wigan’s procurement guidance also points suppliers towards Match My Project to connect social-value commitments with local community needs. Agree measurable delivery commitments with the commissioner rather than treating them as a separate publicity activity. [16]
The advertiser directory is not an approved-supplier list and does not replace procurement or suitability checks.
Skills and delivery capacity
Build the workforce into the plan
Construction skills, training capacity and local employment should be considered while the scheme and its contracts are being assembled.
A regional construction skills hub in Wigan
Wigan & Leigh College leads the North-West Construction Technical Excellence College, with Blackpool & The Fylde College and East Lancashire Learning Group as delivery partners. It is one of ten CTECs in England. [27]
The network covers traditional trades, green construction, modern methods and digital skills. Its employer offer includes apprenticeships, practical projects and opportunities to shape training around workforce needs. [27,28]
- Forecast · Trades, numbers and start dates
- Agree · Training, supervision and delivery partners
- Evidence · Starts, qualifications and sustained work
A practical workforce brief for a live scheme
| Agree early | What to record |
|---|---|
| Demand and timing | Map likely labour needs to the programme: enabling works, structure, services, finishes and handover. |
| Employer and supervision | Name the employing organisation, site supervisor and training partner. Allow time for recruitment and induction. |
| Learning and progression | Identify the relevant qualification, practical experience and route into continuing work. |
| Evidence of delivery | Agree how starts, completions, qualifications and employment outcomes will be recorded by the contract owner. |
Suggested briefing checklist for clients and contractors. Agree the actual commitments through the scheme’s procurement and contract process.
Connect training with community benefit
Wigan Council points suppliers towards Match My Project to connect business support with community requests. Use it alongside the workforce plan, with named responsibilities and outcomes that can be evidenced. [16]
CTEC enquiries: CTECenquiries@wigan-leigh.ac.uk
Workforce partnerships: North-West Construction Technical Excellence College
Business directory
Regeneration & development
Groundworks, civils & surfacing
- Andaul Surfacing & Hire — Surfacing, paver and equipment hire — 01744 811 500 — andaul.co.uk
- JW Civils — Civil engineering, foundations and roads — 07805 627 916 / 01695 622919 — jwcivils.co.uk
- NH Landscape & Civils — Landscaping, civils and groundworks — 07975 569765 — facebook.com/nhlandscape.civils
- HH Piling — Piled foundations for building projects — 07975 750 168 — hhpiling.co.uk
Construction materials
- Resapol — Construction products and concrete repair — 0800 083 1942 — resapol.com
Building & property maintenance
- M&D Building — Extensions, bathrooms and kitchens — 07812 858880 — mndbuilding@gmail.com
- KD Building Ltd. — Stonework, new builds and renovations — 07801 704742 / 01257 426080 — mike.durks@btinternet.com
- CBS Construction Group — Building, extensions and property upgrades — 0800 634 9878 / 07932 717138 — cbsconstructiongroup.co.uk
- All Trades 4 U Ltd. — Plumbing, heating and property maintenance — 01942 387102 — workorders@alltrades4ultd.co.uk
Electrical installations
- MB Electrical — Domestic electrical work and inspection — 07487 661586 — mbelectrical.co
- NUWAVE EV AND ELECTRICAL — EV charging, electrical installation and testing — 01942 387144 / 07776 109973 — info@nuwave-electrical.co.uk
Wigan Market at Fettlers: illustrative visualisation, not a scheme image.
Interiors & finishes
- Jen’s Blinds — Blinds and curtains — 01942 396170 / 07543 002128 — jenwinny@hotmail.co.uk
- Skyline Kitchen Components Ltd. — Kitchen, bedroom and study components — 07902 138345 — skylinekitchencomponents.com
- LJV Carpets & Flooring — Supply and fitting of carpets and flooring — 01942 369017 — ljvcarpetsandflooring.co.uk
- Kalon Living Interior Design — Residential, commercial and hospitality interiors — 0203 9510814
Security & automation
- Expo Link Alarms — Alarms, CCTV and access control — 01942 494004 — expolinkalarms.co.uk
- The Real Smart Home — Home and commercial automation — 07730 530 798 — therealsmarthome.co.uk
Business & property services
- B2B Business Technology Group — IT support, cloud services and networking — 01942 918891 / 03333 660077 — b2bbusiness.com
- CMJ Removals — House and office removals and clearances — 01257 400 733 / 07940 742 891 — cmjremovals.co.uk
- Hall & Houghton; Wigan Pier Property Services — Mortgage and financial advice; two names in one advertisement — 01257 422067 — wiganpps@gmail.com
Sources and publisher
Evidence and source notes
Research checked on 13 September 2026. Numbered references link to primary sources; public enquiry routes are on page 6 (see Who decides and public contacts).
Sources · numbers correspond to references in the text
- Homes England / NHB, Investment Prospectus, 31 March 2026 (pp13, 29, 32–44).
- MHCLG, first-wave SAHP announcement, August 2026; regional estimates.
- GMCA, Good Growth Fund: current funding opportunities and application routes.
- Wigan Council, Housing Strategy 2026–2031, including local delivery examples.
- Wigan Council, Publication Local Plan consultation, 9 September–21 October 2026.
- Wigan Council, The Galleries redevelopment / Fettlers: scheme scope.
- Wigan Council, Wigan Market at Fettlers FAQ, 20 August 2026.
- Wigan Council, Civic Square opening and Leigh Market update, 7 September 2026.
- Wigan Council, new affordable homes in west Leigh, 26 March 2026.
- Wigan Council, Pride in Place in Wigan Borough: programme and boards.
- Wigan Council, Leigh board’s ten-year outline plan, November 2025.
- Wigan Council, Platt Bridge and Spring View: board papers and engagement.
- Wigan Council, Marsh Green and Laithwaite: board papers and engagement.
- Torus Developments, Frog Lane: completion and delivery partners.
- Jigsaw Homes, The Seasons phase 2, 28 April 2026: published forecast.
- Wigan Council, Business and tendering opportunities / procurement timeline.
- Wigan Council, Developer Hub: development and neighbourhood opportunities.
- Homes England, SAHP 2026–2036: eligibility, routes and funding decisions.
- Homes England, Continuous Market Engagement guidance, 24 February 2026.
- Homes England, Strategic Partnership guidance: delivery partners and requirements.
- Homes England, Greater Manchester strategic priorities for SAHP.
- Wigan Council, Leigh Regeneration Project: funding components.
- Wigan Council, Leigh building grants update, 7 May 2025.
- MHCLG, Pride in Place Impact Fund prospectus: Wigan allocation and eligible costs.
- Wigan Council, Leigh Call for Projects: closed; applications under evaluation.
- Wigan Council, Leigh funding launch and first investment period, 18 May 2026.
- Wigan & Leigh College, North-West Construction Technical Excellence College.
- National CTEC Hub, employer and education partnerships.
- MHCLG, Pride in Place delivery guidance: boards and accountability.
- MHCLG, Pride in Place prospectus, updated 1 September 2026: plan milestones.
- Wigan Council, Impact Fund: five target wards, 19 March 2026.
- Wigan Council, Impact Fund assessment: areas outside existing neighbourhood programmes.
Publisher and digital edition
Read the Wigan & Leigh handbook online · 020 3951 0814 · info@planninghandbook.com
The Planning Handbook publishes independent regional planning and building-regulations guidance. This briefing brings current regeneration research together with a category directory of advertisers. It is not a council, funder or board publication.
Image sources: images of Leigh Town Hall, Haigh Hall, Stuart Close, Wigan Pier and Wigan Market at Fettlers are illustrative visualisations, AI-generated, not photographs or scheme images.
General information only, not legal, financial or professional advice. Confirm eligibility and terms with the relevant body. Government material is summarised under the Open Government Licence where applicable. Directory inclusion is not public-body endorsement.