POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMY AND EDUCATION BOOST FOR LEIGH, LANCASHIRE
The pupils of Christ Church C of E Primary School in Leigh are to lend a hand to developers planning to showcase a masterplan for the redevelopment of an ageing ex BICC site in the centre of town. If successful, the pupils can look forward to the creation of their own new school development as the proposals encompass demolishing the primary school and rebuilding it on the site of Leigh Sports Village.
The masterplan, which has been created by a team led by Manchester based HOW Planning is for a mixed use development to include offices, residential, workshop/enterprise units and local retail uses. The proposals will be on display at Christ Church C of E Primary School, West Bridgewater Street, Leigh on Friday 10th October between 3.00pm and 5.00pm for parents and 5.00pm to 8.00pm for the general public and Saturday 11th October between 10.00am and 2.00pm.
The site was originally created as a base for The Anchor Cable Company in 1900 and has played an integral role in Leigh's industrial heritage. Over the years the surrounding area has predominantly developed into a residential area which is incompatible with a heavy industrial use on the doorstep, particularly during the BICC ownership when large vehicle movements were in operation 24 hours a day.
The developers, Kingmoor Park Properties Ltd, bought the site from BICC in 2002, renaming it Bridgewater Business Park in the process.
Commenting on their plans, Tony Goddard, Chief Executive of Kingmoor Park Properties Ltd, said:
We have long felt that this area of town could do with a face lift. It is a very central location that could be developed into something really special. The canal frontage in particular could be a superb, family friendly asset with cafés and natural landscaping.
More importantly, we are convinced that having a primary school situated in the middle of an industrial estate next to a busy road is not acceptable and we will be doing everything we can to support the school in their aspirations financially and professionally.
In working with the Local Authority we have been encouraged to look at a wider reaching scheme than the scope of our site to envisage what could be done. This is a town centre site, which through time, has become an eyesore at odds with the surrounding residential and retail usage. We all have an opportunity to redevelop this area, thereby boosting the economy, creating jobs and creating a better educational future for the children of Leigh.
Meanwhile Diana Martindale, Head of Christchurch C of E School, said:
The Governors of the school, working in partnership with Manchester Diocese and the Local Authority, are presently in negotiation with the developers of the Leigh Sports Village in order to re-site Christ Church School. The Governors of the school are totally supportive of these exciting plans to develop the area surrounding the existing school subject to the successful relocation of the school on to the Leigh Sports Village.
Richard Barton, Senior Planner at HOW Planning said:
The Public Exhibition signals the start of an exciting process, which promises to deliver comprehensive regeneration to this important area of Leigh close to the town centre. We hope that members of the public will come along to this event to view the emerging plans and offer their comments which will help shape the development.
For press enquiries please contact
Evlyn Goddard, Kingmoor Park Marketing Director
T: 01228 674114E: evlyn.goddard@kingmoorpark.co.uk
