Yes I noticed that. I haven't heard anything, it's prime building land but I believe access is a major problem to getting planning permission.

Quote: NickyKiss "Anything in the pipeline for Orrell? Noticed they’re using it as a pit stop for a charity run for Doddie Weir and it’s the first time in a long while that I remembered we actually owned it.'" The last time I heard anything about it I'm sure I saw a article saying the club were giving Orrell a limited amount of time to raise an amount in the hope of buying the club back. I get the feeling it was at least twelve months ago though. Will try and find it. EDIT - Nearly two years ago. https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ad-3120918

Quote: NickyKiss "Anything in the pipeline for Orrell? Noticed they’re using it as a pit stop for a charity run for Doddie Weir and it’s the first time in a long while that I remembered we actually owned it.'" The last time I heard anything about it I'm sure I saw a article saying the club were giving Orrell a limited amount of time to raise an amount in the hope of buying the club back. I get the feeling it was at least twelve months ago though. Will try and find it. EDIT - Nearly two years ago. https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ad-3120918

I recall that issue with the access. A huge blow that considering what the land must be worth (well it could be worth if they could get around it).

when was the last time any council planning committee had any issues with a minor thing like access or congestion or anything else that a large housing estate is going to bring

Bolton council have approved 2 within less than a mile of each other on the way up to chequerbent roundabout. One right on the roundabout and 1 on Platt Lane which joins Park Rd on way up from Westhoughton to the roundabout.
if you travel that daily, you know there is congestion virtually constantly so why approve 2 additional housing estates knowing how bad it is anyway

pretty sure, if a housing developer comes in with the right bid for Orrell that it would get approved with Wigan Metro get something out of it

Regarding any possible development at Robin Park, I would be over the moon to finally divorce ourselves from the football club. Ian Lenagan’s tenure at the club has been remarkable and what a legacy he would leave if, together with Mike Danson, he could bring the Robin Park dream to fruition.

As far as I can see, Mike Danson’s net worth is somewhere approaching £1.2 billion. Without wishing to sound disrespectful, surely this is something he could help with. A sale of Orrell could perhaps buy the freehold to Robin Park from the council. There would be grants to help fund the redevelopment, a manageable portion of the overall cost would have to be mortgaged and the remainder funded by the majority shareholder(s).

Far from being a civil engineer, I would think the River Douglas would have to be diverted from the corner where the astroturf football pitches are and this incorporated into the cost. Would £30-40 million cover everything? Is this a pipe dream or a distinct possibility?