Housing plan for tip site

Developers propose to transform the site of the waste recycling centre on Frog Lane but concerns have been raised about its impact on the environment.

Wigan West ward councillor Terry Halliwell has requested the decision be referred to the planning committee because of a history of flooding on nearby Gorman Street and Beresford Street.

But officers have recommended the application for approval as “historical issues (regarding flooding in adjacent streets) have now been resolved and the Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed there are no objections to the scheme.”

No objections have been submitted to the town hall on behalf of local residents, planning documents also reveal.

The plan, submitted by Gleeson Homes, is for the building of 51 dwellings including a mix of detached and semi-detached two storey homes, a percentage of which will be designated as “affordable housing.”

It will be served by a lone vehicle access from Frog Lane.

Planning documents submitted to the town hall detail that the site is located in a flood zone but a full risk assessment - involving the EA, United Utilities and the council’s own drainage engineers - has suggested the proposed drainage scheme for the plans will negate any concern.

The assessment conclusion reads: “The risk of groundwater flooding at the site is assessed to be low.”

Although officers have recommended the plans for approval, members of the planning committee can choose to overrule them and reject the application if they find grounds for concern.

Planning documents state: “The proposed development will result in an improvement on the street scene and the introduction of a suitable landscaping scheme will further enhance the area.

“Whilst it will result in the loss of an employment site, it is physically separated from the wider employment area and will create an improved relationship with neighbouring properties. In this context the loss of the site for employment is acceptable.”

The committee will meet on Tuesday August 16.