PLANS are being made to boost the number of new homes.

Wigan Council, along with Bolton and the other eight local authorities in Greater Manchester, is considering setting up a new organisation called TopCo, which could negotiate long term funding that would provide more homes to buy and rent in the borough.

Figures show that less than 4,000 new homes are completed every year in Greater Manchester instead of the 9,000 to 10,000 needed by the growing population.

Deputy leader of Wigan Council councillor David Molyneux said: “We want to provide the highest standard of housing to our residents and the regional plan looks to do just that.

“We want to assure all residents that this plan is an effective way of providing appropriate housing in the borough — whether that’s rented homes, affordable homes or homes to buy.”

The plan will be considered by Greater Manchester combined authority.

If it is approved, Wigan Council will take the appropriate steps to ensure the plan is implemented appropriately.