You don't need to go far in this green corner of Greater Manchester to know what is on everyone's mind. Locals in Winstanley said they are worried about losing green belt land to development.
Planning Application Causes Stir
Signs hang on every other home on parts of Pemberton Road in Winstanley, all saying the same thing: "Say no to 400 homes!" It refers to a planning application based at Winstanley Hall and the surrounding green land. Originating as a medieval manorial centre, a hall has stood at Winstanley since the 13th Century.
Submitted to Wigan council by Kingswood Homes last year, the plans seek approval to convert Winstanley Hall into 36 homes, alongside 396 new-build houses on the green fields. The developer has committed to 'the restoration of historic Winstanley Hall' and 'preserving the architectural legacy of this Grade II-listed building'. Kingswood Homes also stated on its website in October that the plans would see the hall and its outbuildings restored and converted into residential accommodation as well as for 'community use'.
The plans have caused a stir in Winstanley, an area where many people move for the quiet evenings and views of nature. A group called 'Save Winstanley Greenbelt' is opposed to the plans and is campaigning to 'protect Winstanley's precious greenbelt'.
Residents Voice Concerns
Lindsay Aitken, 48, who lives on Springpool, just off the Winstanley Hall estate, said: "It's not fair at all. People do feel strongly about the green belt in this area. These plans aren't about the community, it won't be a place for people to visit and be a part of. I just think a lot of people would be more up for it if they were going to do something for the community as well."
Janet Pennington, 56, has lived on Pemberton Road for years. "It's just going to be manic," she said. "The main concern is the road, it's always so busy as it is. And what about schools and doctors? I'm a nurse and A&E is always packed, the hospital isn't big enough to cope with the amount of people we've got now, and they're building new houses all over the place. I've lived here for 15 years and the view is one of the main reasons why. I don't know what's going to happen to it if the plans go ahead."
Along Springpool, Dave, 42, moved to the area 18 months ago with his wife and children. His back garden has a view directly onto the fields around the Winstanley Hall estate. "We see the deer in the fields, we get foxes coming into the garden, it's really nice. We bought the house for the view, it's just going to be upsetting if it gets built on."
Beth Lees, 30, another resident living along Springpool, said: "With 400 homes being built that's like 800 people moving to the area at least, and there are lots of other places being developed around here too. I don't think there are many people around here who support these plans. What we suspect is that it won't be just these fields, but it will end up being other fields after that too."
Developer's Stance
In its planning application to Wigan council, Kingswood Homes said Winstanley Hall has been 'neglected for a number of years' which has left the future of the building 'at serious risk'. It added: "In order to facilitate the extensive works required to restore and rejuvenate the hall and associated buildings, it is necessary, for what is termed as 'enabling development' to take place on the land adjacent to Pemberton Road. This proposed development is therefore predicated on the guiding principle that the level of enabling development proposed is the minimum necessary to fund the works to the listed buildings and structures."
A green belt assessment submitted with the application stated: "Through the introduction of built development, the proposals will inevitably result in the reduction in openness in this part of the green belt." It also adds that there are a 'series of mitigation measures' included in the plans, with a 'green buffer' area around parts of the site, and 'multiple open spaces' within the wider masterplan for the area.
