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Approval for latest stage of Eckersley Mills regeneration scheme
Wigan councillors have approved plans to restore Mill Three, at Eckersley Mills, which will create 137 residential apartments.
Work began on Mill one in January 2023, and it is hoped work on Mill three, by Wigan-based Heaton Group, will begin shortly.
Under the scheme, which has been welcomed by Historic England, the regeneration specialists will carry out a sensitive conversion of Mill One at Eckersley Mills and transform it into a thriving complex that is perfect for 21st century work.
The construction for Mill one includes the conversion of the ground floor into a food hall, featuring a series of individual stalls, and a micro-brewery, complemented by a roof top restaurant bar. The upper three floors would be used for offices, including the Heaton Group’s headquarters.
In total, the scheme will create close to 80,000 sq ft of office space and will be home to almost 400 jobs. The ambitious plan includes a rooftop extension, providing additional work and events space.
The latest planning approval for Mill three represents the next phase of a wider £200m masterplan for the 17-acre site.
Work on the Masterplan for the entire site is ongoing and an application is expected to go into Wigan Council in a few weeks.
Managing director, John Heaton, said: “As a Wigan business this is a special scheme for us, and we know how important it is to the town.
“That’s why we want to make sure it’s done right and make sure the conversion is done as sensitively as possible. They’re magnificent buildings with amazing local heritage wrapped up in them and we don’t want to lose any of that.”
He added: “Our plans are all about rescuing what we can and creating something the people of Wigan can be proud of. These plans have created jobs and the interest from both existing business and new businesses into the town at this early stage has been phenomenal.”
Close to Wigan town centre, the entire Eckersley Mills site covers a vast 17 acres and is one of the largest undeveloped brownfield sites in the North West. Eckersley Mills was once the largest cotton-producing site in the region, and contains a group of buildings, which were built between 1883 and 1920.
Cllr David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council, said: “Eckersley Mill is an important part of Wigan’s history. I’m pleased that the Heaton Group is working closely with our planning team to carefully restore the Grade II-listed building to preserve its past and secure its future. This next phase will bring new homes to the town centre, helping to support the regeneration of Wigan town centre.”
The Heaton Group, which bought the site in 2021, is working on the site with architects Fletcher Rae and planning consultants Paul Butler Associates.
Historic England’s Marie Smallwood said: “We welcome and support this scheme which would secure much needed investment, conservation and repair of the ailing Mill Three building. The proposals will contribute towards the regeneration of the whole of the huge Eckersley Mills site, which has played such an important role in people’s lives in the town over the years and is now set to be an exciting catalyst for jobs and economic opportunity.
“We consider that the interventions have been designed to work with, and complement, the building, whilst also ensuring that its original form and function would still be understood.”
