Residents say their lives are blighted by noise from HGVs at giant warehouse site in Wigan borough

Construction of the four 18.3m-high units at Astley Business Park hit the headlines last year, with neighbours saying their homes would be blighted by the massive buildings.

Now the units have been completed and, with one becoming fully operational, residents say their lives are being ruined by constant HGV traffic.

John Peters, 71, said: "The people who live bordering the warehouses are going through hell because of the noise.

"The extent of the warehouse operations have been a real shock to the system and that's on top of the visual problem."

New drone images show rows of lorries and trailers packed around the warehouse being used by national delivery firm Whistl.

John, a retired teacher who has lived on the estate since 1978, said: "Whistl is a national logistics company using Astley as a base.

"You can't operate a national logistics company quietly. We see around four HGVs coming in every 10 minutes."

Residents claim the din has become particularly unbearable overnight.

Astley Warehouse Action Group, which is campaigning against the development, said residents could no longer open their bedroom windows because of the noise.

John said: "We are at the point where the consequences of all decisions that have been made are coming to fruition – and are being felt by the residents."

Whistl applied to base up to 60 goods vehicles and 95 trailers there, with campaigners saying it has been granted an interim licence allowing operations to begin.

Residents say their ordeal is especially alarming because the remaining three warehouses have yet to begin operating fully.

Freight company Grace Overseas is preparing to take a unit but has not yet moved in, according to John.

Campaigners are now hoping prime minister Andy Burnham, who previously discussed the warehouses as Greater Manchester mayor, will support their campaign from Downing Street.

John said: "The problems have been going on for a year now – but we're not giving up."

A spokesperson for Whistl said the firm has been in "active dialogue" with residents, taking measures "to mitigate the impact of our operations" where possible.

They added that the firm has a "longstanding track record of operating safely" and "will continue to listen and make changes where practicable as we appreciate the strength of feeling amongst the community over the new business park".

They added: "We are also monitoring and managing the noise levels through equipment we have installed on the acoustic fencing at a point closest to the houses."

A spokesperson for Grace Overseas confirmed it will operate from 8am to 5pm when it takes over, with "occasional weekend working" during peak periods.

They said there would be no overnight loading, unloading or HGV movements, although delays may mean vehicles occasionally arrive after 5pm.

The spokesperson added: "We are committed to operating responsibly and being a good neighbour as we begin operations at the site."

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: "We have received several noise complaints and have asked residents to keep a record and share information with us so that we can investigate."

Developer PLP has been approached for comment.