Local Plan evidence base

The Wigan Local Plan will be informed by robust, relevant and up-to-date evidence.  This is currently in the process of being reviewed and updated, as necessary, alongside plan preparation.

Existing key local studies which provide evidence on the economic, social and environmental characteristics and prospects of the borough are set out below:

On population, households and employment:

• Census 2021.

On housing:

• Wigan Housing Strategy and Housing Needs Assessment
• Wigan Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
• Greater Manchester Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment.

On employment:

• Economic Market and Employment Land Assessment
• Wigan Economic Vision - We Are Wigan.

On transport:

• Transport Strategy.

On flood risk:

• Greater Manchester Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
• Greater Manchester Level 2 Hybrid Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

On green infrastructure:

• Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment
• Wigan Playing Pitch Strategy
• Wigan Open Space Report – due in Autumn 2024
• Wigan Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy – due in early 2025
• Greater Manchester Landscape Character and Sensitivity Assessment.

On Green Belt:

• Green Belt Assessment 2016 - Final Report - The Study assesses the extent to which land within the Greater Manchester Green Belt performs against the purposes of Green Belts
• Green Belt Assessment 2016 - The assessment for parcels within the Green Belt in Wigan includes Appendix 4.11 - Wigan Detailed Assessment and the assessment findings mapped in Figures 4.46 -4.50 - Assessment of Parcels for Purposes 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

On infrastructure delivery:

• Infrastructure Delivery Plan.