A group opposed to a 432-home scheme (to be built on green belt land) have hit out at developer’s promises to restore a run down historic hall as part of the plans.
Kingswood Homes is behind plans for the restoration of Winstanley Hall in Wigan, along with plans for building a new neighbourhood on surrounding land.
The developer said the proposals involve a ‘sensitive restoration’ of Winstanley Hall, converting the Grade II-listed building and outbuildings into 36 apartments and houses, alongside a heritage centre and flexible community space.
They also want to build 396 new homes and community amenities, including a woodland walk and community orchard.
Local residents group prefers to keep the green belt
The group, ‘Save Winstanley Greenbelt’, is opposed to the plans and has called for alternative schemes to be considered to restore Winstanley Hall, ‘without sacrificing the green space that residents hold dear’.
A petition on the change.org site has more been supported by more than 600 people. It reads:
Winstanley Hall is a cherished heritage site, a testament to our rich history, and an emblem of our community’s cultural identity. Recently, there has been a proposal to develop 400 houses on green belt land in Winstanley.
This move allegedly supports the ‘restoration’ of Winstanley Hall. However, upon delving into the planning documents and communications, it becomes evident that the proposal may not fully align with its purported goals.
The development could compromise an irreplaceable environmental asset, undermining both the aesthetic and ecological value of the region. Green belt land is protected for a reason.
We call upon the developers and Wigan council to halt this proposal, reassess the plan with genuine consideration for both historical and environmental stewardship, and explore alternative solutions that do not risk degrading our protected land.
Originating as a medieval manorial centre, a hall has stood at Winstanley since the 13th century.
It has endured more than 25 years of neglect, with its condition deteriorating rapidly since 2017. Roof collapses, structural failures, and encroaching vegetation have led to its current state of disrepair.
A unique opportunity, or a Hall residents can do without?
Kingswood said the Winstanley Hall development ‘represents a unique opportunity to save one of Wigan’s most historic landmarks while creating a sustainable, high-quality residential community for future generations’.
It added: “This ambitious project will restore and re-purpose Winstanley Hall and open part of its grounds to the public for the very first time.
“The proposed new development includes 396 new one- to five-bedroom homes, thoughtfully designed to meet the region’s family and affordable housing needs.”
However, at a community meeting with Kingswiod Homes representatives and local MP Josh Simons, local people argued that the plans are to only restore the outside of the Hall, while stripping the inside competely to build flats in the building. And as the Hall has not been accessible to the public (being on private ground behind locked gates), hardly anyone in the area has seen it, and people find it hard to get excited about being able to walk around an old building as is the stated plan, especially if that gets ‘paid for’ by a large housing estate on green belt land.
The plans show no consideration for drainage or flooding, no provision for extra schools, medical or dental clinics, one road in and out of the estate that would likely have around 600 or more cars owned by residents, and all onto one dual carriage road that already gets congested every day. So local residents, together with councilors and the local MP, have protested about the plans. Kingswood Homes have said that now they own the grade 2* listed building they have a duty to restore it, or at least the exterior, and that it will cost £35Mn which will have to be recouped by building on the adjacent land.
And that will be a blow to the local environment and wildlife, on top of the problems residents foresee for the infrastructure.
Historic England gave its support
In December 2025, Historic England gave its support to the proposals to restore the hall and its outbuildings. The heritage organisation said the residential conversion of the hall represents a ‘last chance’ to secure the future of the buildings.
It also welcomed the plans for the introduction of publicly accessible footpaths within the parkland, which it said will allow people to experience the historic buildings up close for the first time.
After an article by Local Democracy Reporter Chris Gee.
