A family in Tyldesley, Wigan, returned from holiday to find their garden flooded and their view obliterated by four towering warehouses under construction as part of a controversial logistics development.
Maxine Southwell, 57, said she burst into tears upon seeing the 60ft-high structures, which now dominate the back garden of the home she has shared with her husband Ian for 18 years. The couple bought the property partly for its view over a field, but that has been replaced by grey steel buildings being built by logistics firm PLP under planning permission granted by Wigan Council in 2024.
The Southwells are part of the campaign group Astley Warehouse Action, which argues the development is inappropriate for the residential area and that residents were led to believe any construction would involve smaller buildings. The council, however, insists the planning application specified the size, footprint and height of the units, and that there has been no fundamental change since permission was granted.
Ms Southwell believes the construction has caused flooding in her garden, which she says has never happened in 18 years. She described water rising to within feet of her home, covering flower beds and forcing her to switch off outdoor electricity. The group also claims a flooded path near Garrett Hall Primary School is linked to the development.
The campaign group has called for construction to be stopped, but Wigan Council rejected the request. A council spokesperson said: 'We fully acknowledge the concerns... and an independent audit of the planning process to ensure additional transparency is currently underway.'
Ms Southwell said the development has ruined her enjoyment of her home: 'We don't even open the curtains any more. It's awful. We've worked all our lives and now they're ruining it.'
