Site recycled for good of community

Maxilead Metals has announced the ambitious proposals for the Parr Bridge Works in Mosley Common.

In order to move to a location near the Chanters Industrial Estate in Atherton the firm wants to turn the Mosley Common Road site into around 280 homes, a facility including a GPs surgery, several restaurants and shops.

The company has also defended building on green belt land as part of the application, with the documents submitted to Wigan Council suggesting the plans should be permitted under “very special circumstances”.

Maxilead said it has no choice but to move due to how close new homes have been built to its existing location, sparking complaints about traffic, noise and dust, but stressed it was a local company and did not wish to leave the area.

Chairman Peter Clay said: “The new development proposals are very exciting, however, Maxilead would not be looking to relocate if the up and coming developments surrounding the business had not been given planning permission.

“Mosley Common has been an ideal location to build our business to what it is today, however, the future here at Parr Bridge has been cast into doubt because of the new homes that are being constructed less than 20m away from the entrance to our yard. New homes are good for the area but there are bound to be complaints about noise and traffic from future residents and families, and though we operate within the limits set by our environmental permit, you can’t recycle metal without making noise.

“As a local lad, my roots are in this community. Having built with my family a very successful business, it is important we give something back to the local people. The development offers a huge number of special benefits to the land and local community, which outweigh any potential harm to the green belt.”

The outline proposals for the development include a new life centre incorporating a doctors’ surgery, a pharmacy and associated health care facilities, a coffee shop, retail units, shops, a restaurant and a children’s nursery as well as more than 200 new homes.

The family-run firm, was established 30 years ago at the former Great Boys Farm Site on Mort Lane and has operated from its Parr Bridge Works site for 20 years, will relocate to a state-of-the-art, purpose-built, metal and waste recycling facility allowing Maxilead to expand.

The proposed new site, on a designated industrial zone, will comprise a purpose built 6.5-acre works which the firm says will safeguard more than 40 local jobs. Months of consultation with Wigan Council planners, councillors and residents have gone into the new proposals. Consultations are now under way and a decision is currently expected in July.