Bolton council has approved a masterplan for transforming an area near the M61 into one of the UK's largest employment hubs, despite fears it will 'concrete the town over'. The West of Wingates masterplan sets design criteria for a massive development on the western edge of Westhoughton, supporting up to 6,000 jobs and providing around 440,000 sqm of industrial and warehousing floorspace. Phase 1 planning permission, adjacent to the A6 on Chorley Road, was granted in January 2024 and is under construction.
Concerns Over Traffic and Green Fields
A Bolton council cabinet meeting heard 'significant concerns about the road network' from some councillors. Campaigner David Wilkinson claimed the move will 'concrete Westhoughton over' with 'green fields dug up over the next few years and thousands of extra vehicles per day'. Executive member Nadeem Ayub described the masterplan as a framework for 'a high quality exemplar employment site', emphasizing that the decision to develop was already made under the Places for Everyone plan after public consultation.
Highway Network Issues
Councillor David Grant from Horwich & Blackrod First noted that while creating jobs is positive, 'the highway network always seems to take a backward step'. He expressed concerns about motorway roundabouts and the Beehive roundabout being at capacity, warning that adding a significant employment zone would increase issues on the A6.
Campaigner's Reaction
David Wilkinson, a former councillor for Westhoughton, reacted to the adoption, stating that over 400 acres of green fields will be dug up and thousands of extra vehicles will appear daily. He highlighted that Phase II was included in Places for Everyone, passed in March 2024, and removed green belt protection for hundreds of acres at Wingates.
Consultation and Next Steps
Bolton Council worked with developers Harworth Group and various public bodies, along with local councillors and MPs, to produce the masterplan. An eight-week public consultation ran from November 2025 to January 2026. Planning applications for subsequent phases are expected from Harworth Group in the coming months.
