Plans for huge 526-home development and link road to be built on fields in Ashton-in-Makerfield
A developer is planning to build 526 homes on farmland in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Bellway Homes will launch a public consultation later this month on plans to develop land at Landgate Farm on Wigan Road.
In a letter to local councillors Bellway said the proposals would be for ‘around 526 homes’.
The plans include 25 per cent of the homes being affordable housing, which will be delivered by Onward Homes, a specialist social landlord.
The proposals include re-configuration and enhancements to the existing Bryn Recreation Ground sports pitches, changing facilities and car park, an internal link road which when built, ‘will ensure traffic travels through the site and bypasses the Bryn Road/Wigan Road junction’ and the gifting of land to Landgate School for the expansion of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) school.
Presently much of the area, two kilometres north of Ashton town centre and six kilometres south of the centre of Wigan is farmed, mostly for arable production but with some grazing land.
A letter from the developer to local Independent councillor Steve Jones, who represent the Bryn ward has been published by him.
It said: “We write to inform you of Bellway’s proposals for a residential-led development at Landgate Farm, Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield which will soon be subject to public consultation.
“The site has long been earmarked for development in the adopted local plan – being a broad location for development where the principle of residential development is acceptable.”
Bellway said it intended to undertake a consultation exercise with the local community, with a leaflet drop to nearby properties and businesses and a public consultation website.
The consultation document said the developer had received interest from Ashton Park Football Club about the improved sports pitches and new changing rooms.
The club said it needs facilities ‘fit for purpose’ and the consultation document said ‘the development will deliver this’.
The consultation will take place between August 14 and 28 and will precede any formal planning application.
Coun Jones said: “Separate to this ,the land owner has already offered a new park on Rose Hill.
“Personally I would much rather the council were not insisting on a new road and access could come from Stubshaw were there are already link roads that could bypass Bryn and Ashton altogether.”