Campaigners in Wigan have secured a major victory after four controversial greenbelt sites were withdrawn from the borough's local plan, following widespread opposition from residents who branded the proposals an 'abomination', a 'concrete jungle' and an 'obliteration of nature'.
The local plan, which sets out Wigan Council's vision for future development, had originally earmarked approximately five million square metres of employment space across the four sites. However, town hall bosses have now confirmed they believe the borough's employment needs can still be met without building on Bridgewater West in Astley, west of Winwick Lane in Lowton, Aspull Common in Leigh, and land north of Junction 26 of the M6 near Wigan.
While planning applications for non-allocated land can still be submitted, the removal of these sites from the plan makes it significantly harder for developers to gain permission for them over the plan period.
Campaigners celebrate 'huge and incredibly emotional moment'
Residents opposing the Bridgewater West development described the removal of the land as a 'huge and incredibly emotional moment', adding that it 'shows residents have been heard'. The schemes had drawn fierce criticism from local communities who demanded developers leave their greenspaces untouched.
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."
Councillor Kenny also confirmed the council's intention to object to a fifth area of development, the Gibfield Park masterplan. The scheme, allocated in the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone policy, has the potential to deliver 500 homes and 375,000 square metres of sheds. He stated: "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 responds to council objection
Developer Peel revealed its plan for Gibfield Park earlier this year, located between Atherton and the Daisy Hill area of Westhoughton. The scheme was originally intended to deliver 490,000 square feet of employment space alongside new homes. A campaign group formed shortly after, with local residents arguing the scheme would 'obliterate one of the few remaining areas where nature is allowed to flourish' and branding it 'unacceptable'. The developer later scaled back the industrial side of the plan to 375,000 square feet in response to feedback, but the community remained opposed.
In response to 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."
Major housing sites remain in the plan
Despite the removal of the greenbelt sites, significant development is still planned for the borough. The council needs to deliver a minimum of 16,527 new homes over the plan period. The Places for Everyone policy allocates space for 2,227 of these, with major development sites offering another 5,290 homes. 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.
Six major housing sites remain in the draft local plan, expected to deliver a total of 5,290 homes. These include North Leigh Park near Leigh, which could deliver around 1,500 homes by 2039, along with a new link road from the A578 Leigh Road to the A579 Atherleigh Way. Around 200 homes have already been delivered on the 70-hectare site, bringing the total capacity up to 1,700. South Hindley could see up to 2,000 new homes, with a local centre and a link road from the A58 Liverpool Road to the A578 Leigh Road required. The council believes the development also offers the opportunity to enhance Leyland Park, the main park in Hindley, and improve flooding around Borsdane and Dog Pool brooks to relieve historic issues in Platts Bridge.
Land south of Atherton, east of Millers Lane, could deliver around 270 new homes, extending current development on the western side of the road. The council wants to see a new route from Leigh Road at Howe Bridge to Tyldesley Road at Hindsford completed through the development, alongside flood alleviation measures to help ease issues in the Lilford area. East of Atherton, another 600 homes are expected, with access proposed from the A579 Bolton Road, and developers required to create or fund improved walking and cycle access to Atherton Railway Station. Landgate in Ashton-in-Makerfield could see 500 new homes, with developers expected to retain or replace Landgate school and the employment site at Landgate Farm, and a new road connection from the A49 Wigan Road through the site to the B5207 Bryn Road. Fishing ponds on the site would need to be safeguarded 'for recreation and wildlife'. Westwood Park in Wigan, a large brownfield site to the south of the town, could deliver a further 420 homes, along with 16,800 square metres of new employment space for 'modern businesses', with walking and cycling routes connecting the development to Wigan town centre.
Council outlines town centre ambitions
In addition to allocating land for homes, Wigan Council has set out 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. It also wants to see vacant retail space in The Grand Arcade brought back into use, 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.
