City Wigan, county Hall Showbiz Latest News and Updates

A hotel housing asylum seekers in Standish has closed three months earlier than planned. Kiley Court Hotel in Wigan was only designated as a spot to house migrants in August in a surprise decision by the Home Office.

Only 41 out of a potential 187 new homes will be built in Wigan after the planning committee could not make a decision on major housing development tabled for Leigh.

In a town on the edge of the Greater Manchester sits a hotel which has sparked huge controversy over the last few months.

Asylum seekers being housed at some hotels in Greater Manchester will have to leave within months as the government seeks to end the costly use of this accommodation. At least two hotels in the city-region - one in Wigan and another in Rochdale - will be closing.

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has welcomed news that a hotel in the borough will no longer house asylum seekers. Ms Nandy, who is also Shadow International Development Secretary, said tonight (Wednesday, October 25) that the Home Office had confirmed that 'the asylum hotel' in her constituency was to be closed.

A huge new affordable housing development will be built in Wigan despite concerns over road congestion near the site.

There are a number of people that still won’t get the Covid vaccine due to a fear of needles, it is believed.

More than 100 people gathered near Wigan Town Hall last night to oppose the decision to house asylum seekers in a Standish hotel.

Two big developments in Wigan will see hundreds of new jobs created for locals.

Concerns over housing for children in the care system have been sparked with young people having to wait longer than they should for repair works in accommodation.

A derelict Chinese restaurant in Wigan is set to be demolished to make way for a new affordable apartment block for people with disabilities and extra care needs.

Wigan’s first pet crematorium will be built despite concerns from neighbours, after the council gave the plans the green light.

The list of candidates has been released for the ‘all-out’ local elections in Wigan for 2023 with every seat on the council up for grabs.

Only 54 per cent of care leavers are in work or education and the number coming into care is growing, statistics described as 'awful'.

Mental health services for children and young people are struggling with recruiting and maintaining staff in Wigan, a meeting heard.

One of Wigan’s most iconic outdoor pursuits assets is now back in business - and it is booming!

The political area of Atherleigh in Wigan went out with a bang after a number of community groups were issued awards by their local councillors.

Thousands of care workers in Wigan will be paid the real living wage after council bosses bid to help boost staffing levels.

A nursery situated in a historic building can finally get an outdoor play area after getting the green light from Wigan Council, despite objectors bidding to stop it.

A charity has helped transform the support available for families across the UK - thanks to backing from big stars and residents across Wigan.

The first day of March marks the first full council meeting for Wigan in 2023 - and it is of huge importance with the new council tax setting to be agreed.

A row over a new home in Ashton involved 'racist behaviour', councillors have heard.

Councillors have questioned whether the cost of living crisis is linked to an increased rate of domestic abuse cases in Wigan. After data revealed an 11 per cent increase of domestic abuse referrals to services in the borough from this time last year, Coun Mary Callaghan questioned officers on whether residents’ safety was impacted by the cost of living crisis.

Concerns over a housing development blighted by Japanese Knotweed were quelled as the 29 home proposal for Abram was approved. The Ashtons Tenement Farm site on Bickershaw Lane already has 13 houses built on it but the developer wanted to add 16 more, Wigan Town Hall heard on October 11.

Wigan town centre has been hailed as a place of ‘vibrancy and culture’ after being awarded Purple Flag accreditation. This recognises excellence in the evening and night-time economy - a place that is diverse, vibrant, safe, attractive and welcoming.

Developers hoping to bring a 1,100 home ‘neighbourhood’ to Mosley Common have promised to deal with residents’ concerns at a later date. Peel L&P explained that matters to do with congested roads, green belt and education provision will be part of their plans submitted when they seek planning permission further down the line.

A new development next to Haydock Park deemed to risk causing ‘dangerous and inconvenient’ levels of traffic by one councillor is set to go ahead following approval from Wigan Council’s Planning Committee. Two bungalows on Windsor Road near Ashton, owned by applicants Jockey Club Racecourses, will be demolished to make way for 84 new homes.

A controversial housing development next to Pennington Flash in Leigh will provide 'desperately needed' properties in the area following approval from Wigan Council despite more than 100 objections. The West Leigh Waterfront plan will see 470 homes built in the Wigan borough in the near future following approval from the council’s Planning Committee.

Golborne High School is set to permanently expand and will see a funding boost of more than £1 million to help make it happen. A cabinet meeting at Wigan Town Hall saw the approval of recommendations to allow the Lowton Road site to admit 230 pupils in Year 7 as of 2022.

Wigan’s involvement in the Clean Air Zone has been criticised by a councillor who believed the plans were not necessary for the borough as the air was clean enough. Councillor James Watson put forward a motion at a full council meeting held at Wigan Town Hall to withdraw the borough from the plans entirely.