Further protest planned against controversial Wigan church development

People living in Bryn staged a demonstration in July against the plans to bulldoze the derelict St Peter’s Church, raising concerns that drug users from the night shelters and hotels in Wigan would be housed in any new building.

Although the council have given assurances to residents that the Jigsaw Homes development will consist of family homes and supported accommodation for people experiencing things such as domestic violence, locals remain sceptical.

Now they have planned a second protest and are currently in the process of distributing 5,000 letters to residents in the area urging them to object to the plans.

Coun Steve Jones, who is organising the action, said he wanted assurances the development would not be used for drug users.

He said: “We had 5,000 letters printed on Wednesday which will be sent to the doors of residents in the Bryn ward.

“On the letters, it will urge people to send objections to the developer Jigsaw homes, chief executive of The Heaton Group and the director of housing at Wigan Council.

“There has been no public consultaton as we were promised there would be and I’ve been told the plans are being submitted to planning in two weeks.

“I’m sceptical the homes will be for who they say will be in them as why not just tell councillors rather than residents finding out themselves, and for the supported accommodation I’d like to see a drug testing policy in place and a minimum stay of six months.”

Council chiefs insist, however, that the new proposal will consist of seven two-bedroom family homes and three three-bedroom which will be affordable rent. They said there will be 11 supported accomodation apartments plus one staff apartment for people needing some support with reaching full independence, following a crisis in their life, such as experiencing domestic violence or losing their home.

It comes after a prior notification application by the developer was submtted to the council for the demolition of the church , outbuildings, two-storey vicarage and garage.

Works would begin on November 3 and finish on December 7.

The protest will take place outside the church on Saturday, November 7 from noon onwards.