Work due to start on controversial development of more than 100 homes in Wigan village

Redrow has acquired the land off Bainbridge Avenue, Lowton, after planning permission was granted for 117 homes, with work on the new development – named Oakwood Fields – set to begin later this month.

And the housebuilder said it was “targeting further land acquisitions in the area”, with Lowton described as “a prime village setting within easy reach of nearby towns”.

Claire Jarvis, managing director for Chorley-based Redrow Lancashire, said: “Our new site in Lowton is a great location for home buyers, situated a similar distance to both Liverpool and Manchester.

“It will deliver more than 100 new homes, the first of which will be completed towards the middle of 2022.

“We’re actively seeking further land in this area, and stretching as far south as the M56 corridor, including all areas of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Warrington, as we see these are key locations with a high demand for new homes.”

Redrow’s plans have proved controversial, with Lowton residents saying the village is suffering from over-development and they are being “buried in houses” after plans for more than 1,300 homes in the village were approved in recent years.

Plans for a further 69 homes, by Bloor Homes, were approved by Wigan Council’s planning committee in September last year, despite more than 1,500 objections.

Redrow’s Oakwood Fields plans include a mix of three and four-bedroom homes, “with open-plan layouts and flexible living spaces to suit a range of lifestyles including those who work from home”.

A spokesman said: “Areas of open space will be created around the development, while footpaths for walking and cycling will connect residents to open land, as well as playing fields.

“An existing watercourse will also be enhanced to create new wildlife habitats and provide an attractive, landscaped feature through the site, with a footbridge being built as part of the footpath network.

“As part of the planning agreement, Redrow is contributing almost £175,000 towards secondary education provision and about £130,000 for improvements at local play areas, including £20,000 for the Pond Street play area and almost £110,000 for Pennington Flash Country Park.”

Show homes are due to open in spring 2022, when the first homes will also go on sale.

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