Wigan approves 38 affordable apartments

Your Housing Group will deliver a new Foyer facility to provide accommodation, teaching, and communal spaces on the former site of Heatons Bakery off Boundary Street next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Your Housing Group operates a total of four Foyer facilities across the North West, which provide housing and accessible learning opportunities to young people aged 16-25 who cannot live at home.

John McCalls Architects designed the Wigan scheme, which will create 38 affordable, one-bedroom apartments.

The three-storey complex will provide a 600 sq ft indoor gym, 700 sq ft residents’ lounge, and 1,000 sq ft breakout space.

Outside, residents will have access to another gym and recreational space.

Foyer will also provide training and employment opportunities with three 500 sq ft teaching and studio rooms, a 300 sq ft training kitchen, and a 100 sq ft recording studio included in the plans for the facility.

There will be seven car parking spaces provided for residents, as well as 20 cycle bays.

The new complex will replace the existing Coops Foyer located off Chequers Street.

Martin Wright, Your Housing Group’s head of supported housing, said: “We’ve worked in partnership with Wigan Council for many years, providing support at Coops Foyer for young people who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness…

“The new development will let us build on everything that we have achieved at Coops Foyer and take our service to the next level for the benefit of our younger residents in the borough.”

Jacque Allen, chief executive of Your Housing Group, added: “We are all very proud of the work the teams do at the Foyer schemes, and this purpose-built design in a great location will support even more young residents in Wigan and help them to thrive.

“The current Coops Foyer has been supporting young residents in Wigan for over 30 years and has helped more than 850 people.

“It provides a place for young residents to thrive and find independence.”

Satplan is the planning consultant for the scheme. E3P is the arboriculturist. Ridge is advising on flood risk and draining strategy.

Wigan Council approved the plans for Foyer on Tuesday.

Colette Dutton, director of children’s services at Wigan Council, said: “We couldn’t be prouder to support a scheme that will provide high-quality accommodation and support for young residents to thrive.

“The facilities, such as the teaching and studio facilities and training kitchen, will really help people to develop the right skills and experience to live their best life.”

To find out more about the plans, search for application number A/22/94798 on Wigan Council’s planning portal.