Wigan campaigners have achieved a resounding victory after four controversial greenbelt sites were removed from the area's local plan.
Around five million square metres of employment space across the sites was to be allocated in the document under earlier town hall thinking. The local plan sets out Wigan council's vision for future development in the borough, including, crucially, where building projects are allowed to take place.
Removed Sites
Town hall bosses have now said they believe they can still meet the borough’s employment needs without building on the land at Bridgewater West, in Astley; west of Winwick Lane, in Lowton; at Aspull Common, in Leigh; and to the north Junction 26 of the M6, near Wigan. While planning applications for non-allocated land can still be submitted, removing the sites will make it more difficult for a developer to gain permission for them over the plan period.
Wigan council has also set out its intention to object to a fifth area of development, the Gibfield Park masterplan. The latter scheme has been allocated in the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone policy and has the potential to deliver 500 homes and 375,000sqm of sheds.
Campaigner Reaction
The various schemes have been branded an ‘abomination’, a ‘concrete jungle’ and an ‘obliteration of nature’ by residents demanding developers leave their greenspaces alone.
Campaigners against the Bridgewater West development said the removal of the land was a ‘huge and incredibly emotional moment’, adding it ‘shows residents have been heard’.
Labour councillor Paul Kenny, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport, said: “We are aware of the depth of feeling surrounding these four sites. By removing them from the latest version of the Local Plan, we believe we have struck the right balance between supporting economic growth and job creation, providing opportunities for residents, and protecting our environment.
“With Gibfield, we simply do not believe the proposals are appropriate and we will make that clear through the consultation. The masterplan requires the council's approval and we cannot support it.”
Developer Response
Developer Peel revealed its plan to create Gibfield earlier this year. The scheme, between Atherton and the Daisy Hill area of Weshoughton, was originally intended to deliver 490,000 sq ft of employment space, alongside the new homes.
A campaign group was set up shortly after, with local residents arguing the scheme would ‘obliterate one of the few remaining areas where nature is allowed to flourish’ in their area and branding it ‘unacceptable’. The developer later scaled back the industrial side of the plan to 375,000 sq ft in response to feedback, but the local community remained unhappy.
On the council’s objection, a spokesperson for Peel Land said: “Gibfield Park is allocated in the adopted Places for Everyone Plan, to help meet Wigan’s need for new homes and jobs, supporting growth and infrastructure improvements within the NorthFold Growth Corridor. We have worked with the council for many years to shape these proposals and have made changes to the masterplan in response to community feedback earlier this year.
“We note the cabinet report and will of course consider any comments made by Cabinet in response to the masterplan consultation, alongside feedback from the local community, before determining next steps in the delivery of this allocated site.”
Remaining Housing Plans
Huge changes are still set for the borough, however. In all, the council needs to deliver a minimum of 16,527 new homes over the plan period. Places for Everyone allocates space for 2,227 of these, with major development sites offering up another 5,290.
The council estimates a further 6,828 homes are covered by homes already under construction, with planning permission and through windfall sites. Some 5,109 homes have already been delivered since the start of the plan period in 2022.
In addition to allocating land for homes, Wigan council has set out some of its ambitions for its town centres. In Wigan itself, the council aims to complete the regeneration of the former Galleries site, now known as Fettlers, with a new market hall and a new residential neighbourhood envisioned for the town centre. It also wants to see vacant retail space in The Grand Arcade brought back into use, the restoration of Standishgate and the Market Place; and continued regeneration of the King Street and Library Street area.
In Leigh, the authority wants to see ‘significantly improved’ transport links to Manchester created; enhancement of Leigh Market; and a new ‘modern’ bus interchange delivered. Ashton-in-Makerfield could see its former market ‘reinvented’ into a ‘multifunctional’ space for stalls and events, while the council wants to reduce traffic through the centre.
Six major housing sites remain in the plan which are expected to deliver 5,290 homes between them. North Leigh Park, near Leigh, could deliver around 1,500 homes by 2039, along with a new link road from the A578 Leigh Road to the A579 Atherleigh Way. A new local centre containing a mix of commercial and community services is also proposed in the plan. Around 200 homes have already been delivered on the 70ha site, bringing the total capacity up to 1,700.
Up to 2,000 new homes could be built at South Hindley, with a local centre again proposed within the scheme. A link road from the A58 Liverpool Road to the A578 Leigh Road would be required under any plan. Wigan council believes the development also brings with it the opportunity to enhance Leyland Park, the main park in Hindley. New sports provision is also needed in the area. Developers would also be required to deliver an improved flooding situation around Borsdane and Dog Pool brooks to relieve historic issues in Platts Bridge.
Land to the east of Millers Lane could deliver around 270 new homes, extending current development taking place on the western side of the road. The council wants to see the new route from Leigh Road at Howe Bridge to Tyldesley Road at Hindsford completed through the development. Again, the scheme would be expected to deliver flood alleviation measures, with a portion of land expected to be left clear of new homes for this purpose. This is expected to help ease flooding issues in the Lilford area.
Another 600 homes are expected to be delivered to the east of Atherton, with access proposed from the A579 Bolton Road. Developers will be required to either create or help fund improved walking and cycle access to Atherton Railway Station as part of the development.
Some 500 new homes could be built at Landgate, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Developers would be expected to either retain or replace Langate school and the employment site at Landgate Farm in any scheme. A new road connection from the A49 Wigan Road through the site to the B5207 Bryn Road, acting as an extension of Bryn Green Avenue, would be expected. The fishing ponds on the site would need to be safeguarded ‘for recreation and wildlife’.
A further 420 homes could be built at Westwood Park, a large brownfield site to the south of Wigan. This would also include 16,800spm of new employment space for ‘modern businesses’. Walking and cycling routes would be created to connect the development to Wigan town centre.
