Where flood risk applies in Wigan
Wigan's flood risk evidence is the Greater Manchester Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Level 1, March 2019, and Level 2, October 2020), which the council's August 2026 Flood Risk Evidence Assessment confirms is still up to date:
- The River DouglasThe Douglas and its tributaries, including Smithy Brook and Ince Brook, are the main river flood risk around Wigan. The Environment Agency issues flood warnings for low-lying land beside the Douglas from Robin Park to Poolstock and at Scholes, and the SFRA records historic flooding in Wigan town centre at Newtown and Wallgate.
- The Glaze Brook catchmentThe Glaze Brook catchment, including Hey Brook and Carr Brook, drains large parts of the borough. Flood warning areas cover brooks at Leigh, Atherton, Astley, Hindley, Platt Bridge and Abram.
- Millingford BrookMillingford Brook runs through Ashton-in-Makerfield and Golborne, partly in culvert. The Level 2 SFRA found that it drives flood risk on housing land supply sites there.
- Residential areas in Flood Zone 3The SFRA found 15 residential areas of Wigan with sizeable parts in Flood Zone 3, the most of any Greater Manchester district.
What Wigan Council will look for
Wigan Council applies the national tests in NPPF Chapter 18 and the Planning Practice Guidance, supported by its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. A Sequential Test submitted with a Wigan application should normally:
- Confirm the flood zone and vulnerabilityUse the current Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning and the NPPF Annex F vulnerability class for the proposed use.
- Justify the area of searchNational policy says the area of search should reflect the catchment for the type of development and the need it serves. Wigan borough is made up of several towns, including Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, Hindley, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Golborne, so a narrower area matching the town served is often more defensible than the whole borough for smaller schemes.
- Assess the council's own sources of sitesWigan's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (2026 Update), the Places for Everyone allocations in Wigan and the Brownfield Land Register are the obvious places to start, and omitting them is a common reason for challenge.
- Evidence every discounted siteWhere an alternative is ruled out as unsuitable, too small or not available in a similar timeframe, give the reason and the evidence. Ownership alone is not enough.
- Screen for the Exception TestState whether the Exception Test applies under Annex F Table 3, and if it does, provide it, drawing on the site-specific flood risk assessment.
Wigan-specific pitfalls
- Climate changeThe SFRA found that Wigan had the largest number of watercourses in Greater Manchester not yet modelled for climate change. Where the Environment Agency has published no climate change data, the present-day flood zone applies as the best available information, and our reports name any affected sites.
- Culverts and surface waterMany Wigan brooks run in culverts, and the council has identified culverts in critical condition. Surface water and blockage risk matter alongside the river flood zones, so our reports cover surface water risk for every site.
- The emerging Local PlanWigan's new Local Plan is at its Publication consultation stage (September to October 2026). Its proposed allocations are included through the land availability assessment and carry more weight once the plan reaches examination.
- Housing-led evidence for non-housing usesWigan's land availability evidence is housing-focused. For employment, retail or community uses, you may need to add alternative sites from other sources.
Fixed-fee Sequential Tests for Wigan
We have built our Wigan Sequential Test on published Environment Agency and Wigan Council data. Plot your site on our Wigan Sequential Test page and we'll deliver a submission-ready report within 24 hours of payment for £300. Exception Tests are £450 within 48 hours.
New to the subject? Start with our general guide: what is a flood risk Sequential Test? We also cover other council areas at the same fixed fee.
Source: Greater Manchester Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (JBA Consulting, March 2019).
Sequential Test guides for other council areas
Manchester · Tameside · Bristol · Birmingham · Chelmsford · Gateshead · Runnymede · East Riding of Yorkshire · York · Spelthorne · Oxford · Plymouth · Lichfield · Dover · Hull · Medway · Lewes District · Northumberland
Frequently asked questions
Does Wigan Council require a Sequential Test?
Yes, for most development in Flood Zones 2 and 3, in line with national policy. Some minor development and most changes of use are exempt, and sites allocated in the local plan may not need the test repeated.
What area of search should I use in Wigan?
National policy says the area of search should reflect the catchment for the type of development and the need it serves. Wigan borough is made up of several towns, including Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, Hindley, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Golborne, so a narrower area matching the town served is often more defensible than the whole borough for smaller schemes. The reason must be explained in the report.
Do flood defences mean I don't need a Sequential Test?
No. Flood zones for the Sequential Test are assessed without defences. Defences are taken into account in the site-specific flood risk assessment and the Exception Test, not the Sequential Test.
How much does a Sequential Test cost in Wigan?
Our fixed fee for a Wigan flood risk Sequential Test or alternatives assessment is £300, delivered within 24 hours of payment. An Exception Test is £450, delivered within 48 hours.
This guide is general information for applications in England and is not advice on your specific project. Requirements differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and every council publishes its own local validation list, so always check the detail with your local planning authority.