Wigan raises £6m for Haigh Woodland Park improvements
Work to create a community pavilion and transform derelict cottages into education and training facilities at the country park is set to begin in September next year.
The scheduled start date is due to an award by the National Lottery Heritage Fund of £3.78m for the project.
The council has agreed to provide more than £2m in match funding, of which £1.6m will come from the council’s capital budget. The remaining £520,520 will come from revenue contributions over five years.
“We are absolutely delighted to support such an incredible project that will enhance our wonderful ancient woodland and deliver so many brilliant benefits for local people,” said Cllr Chris Ready, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods at Wigan Council.
“Haigh Woodland Park is already such a special place loved by many and this investment will ensure we can rightly celebrate its rich and unique heritage while positioning it for an even brighter future as a hive of community activity and a place where more and more people of all ages can experience the outdoors and connect with nature.”
The Haigh Woodland Park project centres around the former zoo grounds and maintenance depot at the country park, which is accessed from New Road. The site includes the Bothy Cottages, a series of listed buildings that would be turned into offices, training facilities, public toilets, and a concession kiosk.
A new garden pavilion would be available for volunteer and education events. An existing barn on the site would be restored and given a new roof.
The council is aiming to complete the project by December 2024.
Plincke is the lead consultant and landscape architect for the project, while Purcell is the architect. Greenwood Projects is the quantity surveyor and Curtins is the civil and structural engineer. Greenways is the services engineer. The scheme’s planning application reference number is A/22/93652/LA.
Haigh Woodland Park’s Haigh Hall is also the subject of another council project. The transformation of the historic house into an art, culture, and heritage venue is the subject of the council’s £20m Levelling Up Fund bid. The results of the second round of Levelling Up Fund are expected to be announced later this year.
