RESIDENTS asked to share their views on two of Leigh’s conservation areas and plans to preserve their special character.

Council bosses in Wigan have pledged to refresh its plans for historically significant locations as part of its historic environment strategy.

Leigh’s town centre and Railway Road conservation areas are the subject of the first in a series of consultations.

The town centre area includes 10 grade II listed buildings including The Obelisk and The George and Dragon and Boar’s Head pubs.

Railway Road covers the former Leigh Grammar School and old Wigan and Leigh College building among others.

Cllr Terry Halliwell, lead cabinet member for heritage, said: “Conservation areas are protected for their special character and appearance which is beneficial to preserve for the benefit of current and future generations.

“This means extra care is taken when designing, planning, and building in these locations.

“As part of these appraisals we are proposing some changes to the boundaries of the conservation areas, so it is important that people have the opportunity to understand why and comment on the proposals.”

Draft appraisals for these two areas are the focus of the consultations with an online survey available until Wednesday, December 22. An online meeting is set to take place on December 3, from 6pm to 7pm.

Cllr Halliwell added: “We are keen to help people understand and play an active role in protecting their historic environment and through consultations like this we hope to be able to preserve our heritage for the future.”

You can go online to wigan.gov.uk/Council/Consultations/Consultations.aspx to take part.

Details about how to access the online meeting will also be shared via the council’s website.