The RSPCA is consulting on plans for a new specialist animal welfare centre in Lowton.
The proposed site is at Mossley Hall Farm off Byrom Lane – currently agricultural land and farm buildings, sitting within the Green Belt.
And before the animal charity submits a formal planning application, it has started a consultation process with local people to explain their plans and seek feedback.
Setting out their proposals, the RSPCA say the new centre could bring up to 150 jobs to the area, and help them plug a huge capacity gap for their work with animals in the North West, which currently does not have any national-run RSPCA rehabilitation and rehoming centres.
One of the farm buildings on the site where the RSPCA hope to build a new centre in Lowton
The Lowton centre would bring veterinary care, animal rehabilitation, rehoming and an education and community space together on a single site – and significantly help the RSPCA’s work. The charity says it is currently rescuing almost 100 animals across the North West each week, with increasing numbers having complex medical and behavioural needs.
The facility is expected to create around 120 to 150 jobs, alongside volunteering opportunities and potential partnerships with local colleges and organisations.
And whilst the RSPCA acknowledges that the Green Belt location will be a concern for local people, it says the buildings on the site would be designed as a low-rise campus, with buildings grouped close to the existing farm footprint to reduce visual impact, and has committed to running the facility entirely on green energy. However the site does also sit on the edge of Pennington Flash, which is a Local and National Nature Reserve and recognised wildlife corridor.
Land at the front of Mossley Hall Farm in Lowton
Impact on local traffic
The RSPCA’s transport assessment estimates there would be around 200 vehicle movements per day associated with the site, which would be accessed off Byrom Lane. However it says this traffic would be staggered across the day, with staff arriving and leaving at different times of the day, meaning they estimate up to 38 vehicle movements at the busiest hour of the day.
Meanwhile, a public right of way that currently passes through the site would be diverted to a new route closer to the Flash.
This is a pre-application consultation, which means no planning application has been submitted yet and the proposals are still being shaped. There is no indication whether this application would be approved, should it make it through to the planning committee at Wigan Council (when there would be another opportunity for local people to have their say).
But if you are interested to know more, a series of pre-application consultation events are taking place in the coming weeks – a chance to influence the plans before they are finalised for submission.
An existing building on the farm site, which sits within the Green Belt.
Find out more and have your say
The RSPCA is holding three public events where you can find out more, ask questions and complete a feedback form. These take place on:
Thursday, 28 May, 3pm–7pm — Pennington Wharf Community Hub, Plank Lane, Leigh, WN7 4BB
Tuesday, 9 June, 1.30pm–6.30pm — Pennington Wharf Community Hub, Plank Lane, Leigh, WN7 4BB
Saturday, 13 June, 10am–2pm — Pop-up event at Pennington Flash, next to The Hide Coffee House and Cafe, Saint Helens Road, Leigh, WN7 3PA
You can also view the full proposals and submit feedback online at rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/mossley-hall-consultation.
This pre-application consultation closes on 18 June 2026.