Residents in Tyldesley have been left furious and frustrated after their campaign to halt the construction of four vast warehouses looming over their homes was formally rejected by Wigan Council.
Petition Ignored and Construction Continues
The council dismissed a petition signed by 10,000 people and ruled out stopping work on the 18-metre-high industrial units, which locals have branded 'monstrous' and compared to 'cruise liners'. Despite the growing anger, the authority stated it remains 'confident' that the planning permission granted in June last year aligns with national policy.
The warehouses form part of the Astley Business Park development, comprising four industrial units spanning 350,000 sq ft. The developer is giant landowner PLP – Peel Land and Property. Two are permitted to be built up to 18.3m (60ft), with one already leased to delivery firm Whistl under a 15-year deal.
Residents' Evidence and Council's Defence
The Astley Warehouse Action Group, which called for a standstill last month, accuses the council of avoiding the 'most serious evidence'. Neighbours claim to have proof that the noise and visual mitigation used to justify approval 'could never legally have been built'.
A Facebook group with around 3,000 members released a statement saying the council had 'avoided every major issue raised', including concerns over 25 revised drawings uploaded to the planning portal five months after public consultation closed. The group argues they should have been notified of these changes.
In response, the council denied making amendments to reduce landscaping and did not accept that the approved drainage model is flawed. A council spokesperson said: 'Following careful examination... we have found no grounds to lawfully issue a temporary stop notice.' They warned that doing so would be unlawful and risk 'high adverse costs to the taxpayer'.
Impact on Community and Property
The visual impact is severe, with aerial images showing cladding blocking light and creating darkness. Residents like Paula Boardman, 47, lament the loss of their 'lovely view', saying the structure is 'humungous' and 'like a cruise ship at the back of our garden'. She fears it will take all sunlight and devalue her home.
Care worker Danielle Edwards, 38, fears the warehouse will make it difficult to sell her family home. 'We thought they were going to be low-rise industrial units, but they're not,' she said.
The controversy has already had political repercussions. Councillor James Fish quit Wigan Council's planning committee after being the sole vote against the original plans. He claims colleagues admitted behind closed doors they 'didn't realise how tall' the buildings would be.
While Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has met residents and was noted as 'sympathetic', his power to intervene is limited. Campaigners are now demanding direct answers, a construction pause, and a backdated environmental and visual impact assessment.
The council has committed to an independent audit of the planning process for transparency and says it will remain in dialogue with the group. Aidan Thatcher, director for place at Wigan Council, emphasised the development will bring 'new jobs and investment' and that landscaping will help mitigate the impact. An agent for PLP declined to comment.
