York based housebuilder Persimmon Homes has secured planning permission for its latest residential project in Wigan.

This week, the planning committee at Wigan Council gave the green light for Persimmon to create 150 new homes on land East of Pocket Nook Farm in Lowton.

Around a quarter of the properties will be affordable housing for either sale or rent.

Part of the development will see Persimmon create an open public space that will feature a play area, informal parks, wetlands and ponds. The firm will also make a contribution towards a road marking scheme and the maintenance of play areas and parks.

Wigan Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr David Molyneux, said the scheme’s approval is “brilliant news for the borough”.

He commented: “It can take time to get to this stage and to get things really moving forward so this is a great step for our economy.

“It is vital that we support appropriate housing development in the borough to keep up with demand for housing and help support growth in our local economy.“

Speaking further, Cllr Molyneux said it is important to keep building affordable homes “so a range of people are attracted to our borough and can find the right home for them”.

He added: “Good quality new housing along with improved transport links and employment opportunities provides the right mix to keep our local economy growing.”

Outline planning permission for the development was granted in January this year.

Persimmon Homes has worked to boost its presence in the North West with a number of residential projects over the last two years.

In September last year, the firm signed a £7.25 million deal to acquire 25.8 acres of land in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, from asset management company Gresham House.