Symmetry Park Wigan, a strategic logistics scheme on Junction 25 of the M6, has been given the green light
Symmetry Park Wigan was recommended for approval by Wigan Borough Council in January 2020 but was later called in by the secretary of state alongside three other sites in the North West (Wingates, Parkside West and Haydock Point).
The scheme will provide a major boost to the North’s growing logistics sector, which is expected to create 62,000 jobs over the next 20 years.
The 134-acre site on Junction 25 of the M6 is set to provide 1.44m sq ft of logistics employment space and will create 1,650 jobs when operational, along with 1,200 construction jobs.
Symmetry Park Wigan represents a construction investment of £73m from Tritax Symmetry and will provide £3m in business rates payments per year to Wigan Council once operational.
The plans include the development of logistics buildings, alongside extensive landscaping and planting, including biodiversity enhancements at Wigan Flashes.
Directly accessed from the M6, Symmetry Park Wigan will be built on a former open cast coal mine which was an active colliery until the early 1980s.
‘A major opportunity for jobs and the economy’
Matt Claxton, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We are pleased that the secretary of state has recognised the significant economic benefits that are derived from a scheme the scale of Symmetry Park Wigan, both during the construction phase and once operational.
“The decision to call in the scheme has inevitably caused delays and, given the strength of occupational demand, we will therefore press on immediately with the infrastructure works on site to enable us to commence speculative construction of phase one comprising 300,000 sq ft and deliver pre-lets.”
Chris Argent, director, planning and development at CBRE Manchester, commented: “CBRE are delighted with the fantastic news for Tritax.
“Wigan now has a significant opportunity to capture occupier requirements and drive local economic growth.”
Leader of Wigan Council, councillor David Molyneux, added: “The development at J25 is a major opportunity for our borough in terms of job creation and economic development, which is key priority for the council especially as we look to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
