MP Josh Simons says he ‘stands with those opposing’ the Winstanley Hall plans
CGI of the proposed restoration of Winstanley Hall (Pic: Kingswood Homes)
A MP has expressed ‘serious concerns’ about a proposed housing development close to the historic Winstanley Hall.
Makerfield MP Josh Simons said he has chosen to ‘stand with those opposing the Winstanley Hall development’, which would involve converting the Tudor manor building into a complex of 26 apartments, along with building 396 one to five-bedroom homes on nearby, mainly green land.
Kingswood Homes submitted a planning application to Wigan council in October 2025 for the proposed development. It said it aims to restore the hall, which dates back to the 13th century, to its former glory, while safeguarding its historic features.
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The proposed ‘sensitive conservation project’, which has the support of Historic England, would see the hall and its outbuildings restored and converted into residential accommodation and community use. The developer said it would ‘safeguard their architectural heritage’.
However, campaigners have vigorously opposed the wider residential aspect of the plans, particularly the loss of green space and concerns about traffic and lack of local services.
And now, in a letter to Coun David Molyneux, leader of Wigan council, Mr Simons has joined the opposition. He said: “I write to express serious concerns about the proposed development around Winstanley Hall.
“I have been supporting residents to understand their concerns and ensure they are addressed. I have met with developers and sought to arrange a meeting with council leadership and residents.
“My constituents have done careful, patient work to test the proposed development. They have expressed their concerns, but these concerns have not been adequately addressed. As a historical artefact of our community, we all treasure Winstanley Hall and want it to be saved. But history means nothing if it is not shared.
“Like so many historic buildings in Britain, the community I represent has never had access to this hall or the land surrounding it. So while this plan would – to my understanding – save the hall’s façade, it would provide minimal access for residents, and requires building on surrounding nature.”
Winstanley Hall 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.
The group, ‘Save Winstanley Greenbelt’, is opposed to the plans and has called for alternative schemes to be considered to restore the hall, ‘without sacrificing the green space that residents hold dear’.
Syd Cottle is one of the campaigners. He said: “We’re really pleased Josh is publicly standing shoulder to shoulder with us on this.
“He gets that this proposed development will have huge consequences for our community and the nature we all love. “We now need the council to reassess the plan and explore alternative solutions that do not risk degrading our land.
“Most importantly, it’s imperative that the evidence, options considered and reasoning behind key decisions are made fully visible to all those working on this.”
Speaking when the plans were submitted, Paul Jones, managing director at Kingswood Homes, said: “We’re pleased to have reached this crucial stage in our journey to restore Winstanley Hall.
“Our planning submission represents months of careful work with heritage specialists and planning consultants to develop a scheme that respects the historical significance of the hall while creating a viable plan for its future.”
The application for the development has not yet been considered by the council’s planning committee.
