Rowan Tree School - New School Planning Application

We are excited to let you know that a full planning application for the redevelopment of Rowan Tree Primary School at the new site on Heath Lane in Leigh is soon to be submitted to the Council.

The redevelopment of Rowan Tree Primary School is funded by the Department for Education as part of the School Rebuilding Programme, and by Wigan Council as part of their SEND and Alternative Provision Strategic Place Plan. Galliford Try has been selected by the Department for Education to design and build the new school.

The proposed development includes the erection of a new 1-storey building, canopies, car parking and associated landscaping. There will be a secure mini-bus zone that can accommodate 21 vehicles for use at drop off and pick up times.

A new school building is proposed for Rowan Tree Primary School as the school’s existing building in Atherton has significantly exceeded its design life and is no longer fit for purpose. The proposed relocation will provide a larger site in a more central location that will improve access for the pupils. 

The local authority intend to expand the capacity of Rowan Tree Primary School from 128 to 154 places as a result of the redevelopment to address the growing demand for special educational needs and disability (SEND) school places in Wigan Borough.

The new school building will help to tackle climate change through minimising energy demand and using low carbon and renewable energy solutions.

Please click /i/6324-Rowan_Tree-Public_Consultation_Boards-FINAL-compressed.pdf to view a document that outlines our proposals in more detail ahead of the planning application submission.

Please click /i/Rowan_Tree_Flyer__2_Rev4_FINAL.pdf to see our summary information flyer.

If you have any comments or queries on the current proposals, please send these to rowantreeprimary.uk@avisonyoung.com by 5^th March 2026.

Galliford Try will be submitting the full planning application in the spring. Once the application has been submitted, it will be available to view online via Wigan Council’s online planning portal:

https://planning.wigan.gov.uk/online-applications/  

Subject to receiving planning permission the school redevelopment is planned to commence in autumn 2026.