Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig has spoken out about the giant warehouses in Tyldesley and Astley, promising residents to 'see what we can do' about the situation. The huge buildings sparked controversy in the communities when they were built towering over people's homes and gardens.
Mayor's response to residents
The mayor was asked about the structures on the BBC Radio Manchester hot seat on Thursday (August 13) by John, a member of the Astley Warehouse Action Group. John said: "I'm just ringing to ask if we can rely on your support as we move into phase two of the effects of these warehouses on residents in Astley?"
Ms Craig said she was 'shocked' at the situation and vowed to start a conversation with campaigners and look into how she can help. She added: "I've not been close to this at all, but like everybody else I've seen the warehouses so to live next door to those I can't imagine what it's like. I'm happy to come out to Astley, to meet yourselves, for you to come into the combined authority, to see what we can do because we have to learn lessons from this."
Residents' concerns
The first company operating from the warehouses, logistics firm Whistl, started operations at the facility in July. Residents living near the site have criticised its huge scale and appearance and the distance from their homes, likening the structure to 'huge cruise liners'. Whistl has said it 'appreciate[s] the strength of feeling amongst the community over the new business park', explaining that it has had an 'active dialogue' with the action group representing residents before taking measures to mitigate the impact of operations.
John added on the BBC Radio Manchester hot seat that campaigners across Greater Manchester have been asking the Astley Warehouse Action Group for advice. He added: "We're in a situation now where we're really feeling the effects, we're living proof that you can't put industrial units next to houses, because people are really suffering with the noise."
Planning rules under review
Bev Craig added: "I agree with you John, and I think we have to go away and look at proper planning rules around this as well, because old industry wouldn't have got that close to your house, so why is it that new industry can get that close to your house? I've said that we want to go away and have a look at the planning rules around that."
