Controversial borough housing is set to get the green light

A major new housing development is set to be approved later this week despite objections from local residents.
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Planning officers at Wigan Council have recommended approving proposals for more than 500 homes built on the flagship North Leigh Park when they come before the planning committee.

The project consists of a hybrid application for 250 homes and a link road from Leigh Road to Atherleigh Way as well as a local centre. While a reserved bid for a further 257 houses on the site is also set to get the green light.

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Both developments would see a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and contain a number affordable houses.

The site in questionThe site in question
The site in question

The proposals by applicant Countryside Properties form part of a 1,800-home development on the Nel Pan Lane site.

A report set to be considered by planners on the 250 homes element of the application reads: “The proposal is a major development which will provide significant regeneration to the local area and It will also provide a number of community benefits.

“The development will provide 250 new houses and these will be an important contribution to the borough’s housing need to 2026.”

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Another report on the 257 homes application adds: “The site is within a sustainable location and will relate successfully with existing development in the area.”

However a dozen written objections have been submitted to the town hall by concerned residents about the schemes.

They are concerned about issues including the location of the affordable housing, loss of tree cover and the accuracy of the tree survey and arboricultural assessment, loss of privacy and impact on wildlife. They also claim that the development was not revealed when they bought their homes and feel that the link road is not necessary and that the scheme will impact on property values.

However planners are set to approve both applications subject to conditions and the variation of a section 106 agreement for the 250 homes.

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Permission was granted for the first phase of the scheme by Wigan Council’s planning committee last year and will be named Lindley Village. Countryside started work on the site early last year to deliver an initial 87 new homes, all of which are intended for affordable housing through its housing association partner, Great Places Housing Group. The remaining 112 properties will be available for open market sale.

Planners will meet virtually on Tuesday (January 19) at 4pm to discuss the bids.

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