The redevelopment of Winstanley Hall presents an extraordinary opportunity to combine heritage preservation with the creation of much-needed new housing. The proposal seeks not only to restore one of Wigan’s most significant historical landmarks but also to deliver a thoughtfully designed residential community that addresses local housing demand, creates jobs, and supports long-term regional growth.
At the centre of the plans lies the sensitive restoration of Winstanley Hall itself. Built in 1573, the hall has long stood as an architectural symbol of Lancashire’s rich history. Under the new proposal, the hall and its associated outbuildings will be carefully restored and converted into 36 high-quality apartments, combining the beauty of heritage design with modern living standards. This conversion will be handled with precision and respect for the hall’s Grade II* listed status, ensuring every detail of its unique character is preserved while adapting the building for sustainable residential use. Alongside these homes, one of the outbuildings will be reimagined for community use, marking the first time the site will serve local people and helping it become a vibrant focal point for the wider area.
The restoration of Winstanley Hall forms the foundation of a much broader development that will deliver 396 new one- to five-bedroom homes on the surrounding land. These properties will meet a genuine local need for new housing, providing a variety of home types for families, first-time buyers, and older residents alike.
This large-scale development will directly contribute to Wigan’s housing targets, helping to ease pressure on local supply and support the Government’s national goal to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years. In doing so, it will create a new community that respects its historic setting while embracing the demands of modern life.
Each property has been architecturally designed to reflect the local vernacular, drawing inspiration from traditional materials and building forms found throughout the area. The result is a development that feels connected to Winstanley’s identity rather than imposed upon it. The homes will sit comfortably within a landscape-led layout, ensuring green spaces, mature trees, and natural boundaries define the site from the outset. This approach not only enhances visual appeal but also strengthens biodiversity and promotes wellbeing among residents.
Central to the plans is the creation of a new heritage centre, which will sit alongside the restored hall. This will provide educational and cultural value, allowing local residents and visitors to engage with Winstanley Hall’s fascinating history for the first time. The centre will tell the story of the estate’s origins, its architectural evolution, and its importance to the region, helping future generations appreciate the site’s significance.
The restoration and conversion of the hall will secure its future for centuries to come, preventing further deterioration and removing it from the English Heritage Risk Register, where it is currently listed as a Priority Category A site due to rapid decline. This project represents the only realistic means of preserving the hall and its outbuildings, ensuring their survival through sustainable new uses that respect both heritage and community value.
The demand for family housing and affordable homes in the Wigan area is well documented. The Winstanley Hall development directly responds to this shortage by offering a broad mix of property sizes, tenures, and price points. A proportion of the new homes will be designated as affordable housing, ensuring the benefits of the development reach people from a wide range of backgrounds.
In addition to meeting housing needs, the project will create employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases. Local contractors, suppliers, and tradespeople will play an important role in delivering the scheme, stimulating economic growth across the borough. Once complete, the new community will generate continued local spending, supporting schools, shops, and services.
The inclusion of community spaces within the restored outbuildings will encourage social interaction and provide flexible areas for events, learning, and wellbeing initiatives. Together, these elements will help to build a strong, connected community, rooted in shared history and forward-looking ambition.
The site has been carefully selected and designed to maximise connectivity and sustainability. Located on the edge of an existing urban area, it benefits from established local infrastructure and access to nearby schools, shops, and public amenities. Its proximity to the M6 ensures excellent transport links across the wider region, making it an ideal setting for both existing residents and newcomers to the area.
Importantly, the land presents very few ecological or physical constraints, allowing development to proceed efficiently and responsibly. The scheme’s landscape-led design places the natural environment at the heart of the masterplan, with open green spaces, pedestrian routes, and ecological buffers integrated throughout. This approach supports wildlife habitats, promotes healthy lifestyles, and ensures that the new homes harmonise with their surroundings rather than dominating them.
Because the hall, access routes, and enabling land are all held under single ownership, the development is both deliverable and coherent, avoiding the challenges that can arise from fragmented sites. This unified approach guarantees that every element—from housing design to heritage restoration—is planned holistically, ensuring a high-quality outcome that benefits all stakeholders.
The redevelopment of Winstanley Hall represents far more than a housing scheme. It is a carefully considered, heritage-led regeneration project that will breathe new life into a long-neglected site while delivering tangible social and economic benefits. The project safeguards a vital piece of local history, provides hundreds of new homes for local families, and opens up an area that has been inaccessible to the public for generations.
By combining sensitive restoration with sustainable development, this proposal will create a community that celebrates Winstanley’s past while looking confidently to the future. The hall will stand once more as a landmark of pride, craftsmanship, and continuity — a place where history, housing, and community come together in harmony.
With public support, this development can ensure Winstanley Hall’s legacy endures, providing homes, opportunities, and heritage for generations to come.