As professional planning consultants in Wigan, we can provide our planning consultancy service to clients across the area. Whether it’s an extension of your current property, a new build or even change of use, we can assist you. We have worked with all types of clients over the years and know the local authority and their regulations well.
With years of experience in the planning industry and being accredited with a number of leading bodies such as The Royal Town Planning Institute, we have the skills and knowledge needed to ensure all of your planning requirements are met. Our aim is to help individuals, landlords and developers realise the full potential of their property or land.
For you, this means understanding the planning opportunities and constraints affecting your site before significant time or money is committed. Whether you are considering residential, commercial or longer-term land development, early advice can help you establish what may be achievable and the most appropriate planning route to take.
We undertake all types of planning projects and whether it’s advice or help with obtaining planning permission, we have you covered. If you’re in need of a local Wigan planning consultant, then be sure to get in touch with us today.
Whether you need help with a planning application, a change of use, a planning appeal or assessing a potential development site, MPD Built Environment can advise on the relevant Wigan Council requirements and the next steps for your project.
Working with a professional planning consultant can make a significant difference when preparing a development proposal. Our planning team supports clients at every stage of the planning process, from initial feasibility advice through to application submission and communication with the local authority. By reviewing site constraints, planning policy and development potential, we help ensure proposals are properly prepared before they are submitted.
This gives you an opportunity to identify potential issues at an early stage, when changes are generally easier and less costly to make. Depending on your site, this could include Green Belt designation, flood risk, ecology, access, neighbouring residential amenity, heritage or restrictions on permitted development rights.
Wigan Council decided 708 planning applications in the year to March 2026, with around 85% receiving approval. While this is broadly close to the national approval rate, every proposal is still assessed on its individual merits. For you, the important point is ensuring your application clearly addresses the policies, site constraints and evidence relevant to your development rather than relying on borough-wide approval statistics.
Decision timescales are also worth considering when planning your project. Around 43% of Wigan planning applications were decided within standard timescales during the relevant reporting period. Allowing sufficient time for validation, consultation, planning officer assessment and any requests for further information can therefore help you build a more realistic programme for your development.
Our consultants regularly work with homeowners, developers, landowners and businesses across the Wigan area, providing practical advice that supports a wide range of development projects. Whether you are planning a residential extension, change of use or larger commercial scheme, our experienced professionals take the time to understand your objectives and the wider planning context affecting the site. This approach helps ensure your proposal is aligned with planning policy and supported by the appropriate documentation.
In many cases, planning applications require detailed supporting information such as planning statements, access statements, or supporting reports. We work closely with project teams and prepare the documentation required to strengthen your application with Wigan Council. Where necessary, we can also coordinate supporting information such as architectural planning drawings and ensure that all submissions are prepared to a professional standard.
For more complex proposals, you may also need specialist input from professionals such as architects, engineers, ecologists, transport consultants or flood-risk specialists. Coordinating this information around one planning strategy can make the process easier for you and help ensure the different elements of the application support the same case.
Our consultancy covers a wide range of professional services designed to support development projects at every stage of the planning process. The following services provide practical guidance for clients looking to move their proposals forward, whether that involves early planning advice, preparing applications or managing planning appeals. Each service is delivered by an experienced planning agent who understands the local planning framework and the steps required to progress development proposals successfully.
Our initial stage is to plan and review your current proposals, giving you options, an assessment of the planning prospects and a clearer understanding of potential risks before your property development project progresses further. We will then offer site assessments that will include planning history, limiting factors and a review of planning policies, helping you understand how previous decisions, land designations and local planning requirements could affect your proposal.
If you are considering purchasing or developing land, this type of site appraisal can also help you assess its development potential before committing to substantial design, acquisition or professional costs.
Whether your project is residential, commercial or a household application, our team will tailor our advice to the site and your requirements. Our overall aim is to make your application efficient and cost-effective.
Where pre-application advice is appropriate, you can gain an early indication of the council’s position before submitting a formal application. This may give you an opportunity to respond to concerns, refine the proposal or obtain further evidence before committing to the full application process.
Whether your project is a residential, commercial or householder application, our approach is tailored to the site and your requirements. Our overarching aim is to make your application efficient and cost-effective. We will draw together all the key elements you need for your planning application with a goal to deliver the results you want.
Your application can involve several different documents, plans and technical assessments. Having these requirements identified and coordinated for you can reduce the risk of missing information causing avoidable validation delays and give the council a clearer, more consistent case to assess.
We are able to carry out all types of appeal work from householder appeals through to major residential or commercial schemes. We can deliver the most appropriate strategy and appeal for your scheme to provide it with the best chance of success.
If your application has been refused, you can have the reasons reviewed before deciding whether to appeal. This allows you to understand whether an appeal, amended application or alternative proposal may provide the most appropriate use of your time and budget.
Certain extensions, alterations, building works and changes of use can benefit from permitted development rights, potentially allowing you to proceed without a full planning application. However, the rights available depend on the property, proposed development, planning history and any local restrictions that apply.
Checking your permitted development rights first can therefore help you establish whether a simpler planning route is available or whether planning permission, prior approval or another consent will be necessary.
This is particularly important if you are considering creating an HMO in Wigan. Since 31 August 2025, a borough-wide Article 4 direction has removed the permitted development right for changing a C3 dwellinghouse to a small C4 HMO. If you are purchasing or converting a property for this purpose, understanding the planning requirement before committing financially can help you avoid unexpected problems later.
We have considerable experience in preparing applications for Certificates of Lawfulness relating to existing or proposed uses or development. If you need formal confirmation that your existing or proposed use or development is lawful, you can also access specialist support from our planning solicitor where appropriate. This can help you establish the planning position with greater certainty while potentially reducing the need to appoint an unrelated third party.
Should you require more information on the planning consulting services we offer, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. One of our team is always on hand to answer questions and deal with enquiries.
Receiving clear and reliable planning advice early in a project can help avoid unnecessary delays and complications later in the process. Our consultants review each proposal carefully to understand the site constraints, surrounding development and relevant planning policies that may affect the application. This early assessment helps ensure that your development plans are realistic and aligned with the planning requirements that apply in Wigan.
For you, this means being able to make decisions with a clearer understanding of the planning position. If a site is affected by Green Belt, flood risk, ecology, heritage, access or another constraint, you can establish what needs to be addressed before investing heavily in the next stage of the project.
We work closely with our clients to ensure their proposals protect and maximise their property interests while meeting the expectations of the local planning authority. By providing straightforward advice and professional support throughout the process, we help ensure each project is carefully prepared and positioned to achieve the best possible planning outcome.
For residential developers and landowners, Wigan’s housing supply position is another useful part of the planning context. In 2026, Wigan reported a housing land supply of approximately 6.1 years. This means the borough can currently demonstrate more than the minimum five-year supply, so residential proposals generally need a strong site-specific planning case rather than relying on a shortage of deliverable housing land. Understanding this position can help you judge the strength of a potential housing development before committing further resources.
This can be particularly important for landowners assessing longer-term development opportunities, as changes to planning policy may affect the future use and value of a site as well as what can be achieved today.
Our planning consultants are highly experienced in working with Wigan Council and other local authorities in the North West. We’ll:
Planning policy in Wigan has changed significantly in recent years. Places for Everyone became part of Wigan’s statutory development plan in March 2024 and introduced strategic policies covering matters such as housing, employment, infrastructure, sustainable development and Green Belt. It also allocated four sites for development within Wigan and made changes to the borough’s Green Belt boundaries.
Those changes are particularly significant because approximately 55.7% of Wigan borough is designated as Green Belt land. Understanding whether your site sits within Green Belt, has been affected by a boundary change or benefits from another allocation can therefore have a major influence on its development potential.
If you own or are considering purchasing land, these changes can directly affect its development potential. Establishing whether your site is affected by an allocation, Green Belt designation or another strategic policy can give you a much clearer basis for deciding whether to develop, invest further or explore an alternative planning strategy.
Wigan Council is also preparing a new Wigan Borough Local Plan to guide development to 2040. The council has consulted on its initial draft and is progressing towards the next stage of the plan-making process.
For clients considering longer-term development, we keep this emerging policy direction in mind alongside the rules that apply today. This can help you understand whether proposed changes could create a future development opportunity, introduce additional requirements or change the way your site is likely to be considered.
Wigan’s current housing land supply of around 6.1 years is also relevant when assessing future residential development. Rather than looking at that figure in isolation, you can receive advice that considers housing supply alongside site allocations, Green Belt, local policy and the individual planning merits of your land.
For a planning application in Wigan, we can also help establish which plans, statements and specialist assessments may be required for validation. Checking these requirements before submission can reduce the risk of avoidable delays and requests for additional information.
What Planning Services Do We Offer?
We support homeowners, landowners, developers, and private clients with services including:
Whether you’re applying for planning permission in a conservation area or building on green belt land, you’ll receive advice based on the specific Wigan planning policies and site constraints affecting your proposal rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
If your property is within a conservation area or affects a listed building, additional planning and heritage controls can apply. Wigan Council advises that tighter restrictions can apply within conservation areas, while works to listed buildings can require separate listed building consent.
Understanding these requirements before design work progresses too far can help you avoid unnecessary redesign costs and ensure the proposal responds appropriately to the character and significance of the property or surrounding area.
If you own or are considering purchasing a site within this substantial part of the borough, identifying its designation at the outset can prevent you from investing in a development strategy that does not respond properly to Green Belt policy.
If you own land within or close to the Green Belt, understanding its current designation is particularly important because the adoption of Places for Everyone changed parts of Wigan’s Green Belt boundary and allocated land for future development.
Being within the Green Belt does not mean every form of development is impossible, but the planning route available to you will depend on the site and proposal. An early review can help you understand whether your development may fall within an accepted category, whether a stronger planning case is needed or whether investing further in the proposal is likely to be worthwhile.
With more than half of Wigan borough remaining within the Green Belt, these considerations can affect a significant number of land and property opportunities. For you, checking the exact planning designation before commissioning detailed designs can provide much greater certainty over what is realistically achievable.
For larger or longer-term land opportunities, checking both current allocations and emerging Wigan Local Plan policies can also help you understand how the planning position may develop in future.
There are many benefits to using a planning consultant and our team have put their heads together to come up with what we believe are the main benefits. Some of which are:
Using a planning consultant can help simplify what is often a complex process. By working with professionals who understand planning policy, application procedures and council requirements, you gain expert guidance from the earliest stages of your project. Our consultants manage the technical aspects of the planning process, allowing you to focus on the development itself while we help ensure the application is prepared and submitted correctly.
Importantly, you also gain a clearer understanding of why particular information or changes are required, helping you make informed decisions as your project progresses rather than simply reacting to requests from the council.
Over the years we have worked on all types of planning projects for clients in and around the Wigan area. We are passionate about what we do and believe in working closely with our clients to achieve their goal. With many happy clients and successful projects, we believe some of the reasons you should choose us are:
A planning consultant is someone who can help with applying for planning, appeals and much more. Our expertise means we can help you to navigate the council and planning committee. For you, this means understanding which planning policies affect your proposal, what information may be required and what route gives you a realistic way of progressing your plans.
Many people choose to use planning consultants as it can help to take away unnecessary stresses and make the whole planning process run smoother. Professional advice can be particularly valuable if your site is affected by Green Belt, flood risk, ecology, heritage or another constraint, involves a change of use or has a complicated planning history.
As planning consultants, we can help with a number of things such as applications, appeals, impact and feasibility studies, research and rural planning. For you, this can mean understanding development potential, having the right application documents coordinated and receiving support when communicating or negotiating with the local authority.
Whenever a planning application is submitted, there will typically be a fee involved. The amount depends on the type and scale of development, while you may also need to budget for drawings, planning consultancy and specialist reports depending on the complexity of the proposal.
Not every project requires a full planning application, as permitted development rights may apply in some circumstances. However, these rights are subject to restrictions, and separate listed building consent can be required for works affecting listed buildings.
Planning permission will commonly require you to begin development within three years of the date permission is granted, although the exact deadline is determined by the conditions attached to your individual decision. Checking this early can help you avoid allowing a valuable permission to expire unintentionally.
Around 85% of planning applications decided by Wigan Council in the year to March 2026 were approved, with 708 applications determined during that period. This is broadly close to the national approval rate. However, these figures do not predict the result of your own application; your prospects will depend on the site, development proposed, relevant planning policies and the strength of the supporting case.
Planning applications have target determination periods depending on the type of development, but actual timescales can vary. Around 43% of Wigan applications were decided within standard timescales in the relevant reporting period. If your project has a deadline, allowing sufficient time for validation, consultation, officer assessment and possible requests for additional information can therefore be important.
Approximately 55.7% of Wigan borough is designated as Green Belt. If your land falls within the Green Belt, this can significantly influence the type and scale of development that may be supported. Checking the designation and planning policy position early can help you avoid unnecessary expenditure and understand whether your proposal has a realistic planning route.
Yes. In 2026, Wigan reported a housing land supply of approximately 6.1 years. For landowners and residential developers, this means housing proposals generally need to be supported by their own planning merits rather than relying on an overall shortage of deliverable housing land. Site allocation, sustainability, Green Belt, infrastructure and local planning policy can all remain important considerations.
Places for Everyone has formed part of Wigan’s statutory development plan since March 2024. It contains strategic policies and allocations covering housing, employment, infrastructure, sustainable development and Green Belt. If you own or are considering purchasing land, understanding how the plan affects the site can therefore be important when assessing its current and longer-term development potential.
Yes. Wigan Council is preparing a new Wigan Borough Local Plan to guide development to 2040. If you are considering a longer-term land or property opportunity, emerging policies could affect what development may be supported in future. Taking these changes into account can help you make more informed investment and development decisions.
Potentially. The options available depend on the type of development, circumstances of the site and the planning policies that apply. Places for Everyone has also changed some Green Belt boundaries within Wigan. Reviewing your individual site can help you understand its current designation and whether your proposal has a realistic route forward before you invest heavily in it.
If you want to change a C3 dwellinghouse into a C4 HMO, planning permission is required across Wigan borough. A borough-wide Article 4 direction came into force on 31 August 2025, removing the permitted development right that previously allowed this change in some locations. If you are considering purchasing or converting a property for HMO use, checking the planning and licensing position first can help you understand whether the project is viable.
Depending on your site, flood risk, drainage, biodiversity and ecology can influence both the design of your development and the supporting information you need to submit. Identifying these issues early can help you commission the right assessments, design around potential constraints and avoid discovering significant additional requirements once the application is already underway.
Yes. You can have the reasons for refusal reviewed before deciding what to do next. This can help you determine whether the council’s concerns could be addressed through amendments, whether a fresh application may be appropriate or whether there is a reasonable basis for a planning appeal.
We work with clients across all types of property development, including:
From initial plans to final submission, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what may be possible, which planning constraints you need to address and the steps available to move your project forward.
When it comes to needing a local planning consultant in Wigan or any of the surrounding areas, be sure to make MPD Built Environment Consultants your first port of call. With a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, we can help to ensure a stress-free approach to planning and development. From planning appeals to new planning applications, we can provide a wide range of planning consultancy services. For more information or to discuss a project with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
We have extensive experience dealing with planning applications submitted to local councils and understand the specific challenges that arise in Wigan and nearby areas. Whether your site is near a conservation area, or part of a larger residential development, our team will help you prepare a strong, policy-compliant proposal. We’ll guide you through local policy considerations and liaise with Wigan Council officers to support a smoother outcome.
You can also find out more about our fees and costs here.
Our planning consultancy services cover Wigan and the wider Greater Manchester area. Clients can also find local planning support in Manchester, Tameside, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Salford and Bolton.
Ready to discuss your development in Wigan? Call MPD Built Environment for advice on planning applications, appeals, changes of use or development feasibility.
