Local Plan consultation opens for residents to have final say on long-term vision for Wigan
Changes have been made to the Local Plan and people can now have their say on it.
Residents, businesses, and community organisations are being urged to have their final say on plans for future development in Wigan borough.
After listening to public feedback, Wigan Council’s cabinet decided four employment sites included in a previous draft of the Local Plan would not be taken forward - land to the north of M6 junction 26, Moss Industrial Estate extension, Bridgewater West in Astley, and west of Winwick Lane in Lowton.
The six housing sites still in the plan have also been subject to several changes to policy following feedback.
After changes to the plan, the “publication” stage of consultation has started and will run until 5pm on Wednesday, October 21.
Coun Paul Kenny, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport, said: “We have listened to public feedback and made changes to the Local Plan to reflect that feedback. Now, at the publication stage, we want to hear from as many people as possible before the final version is submitted to government at the end of the year.
“This consultation is another important step in developing the future of our borough and we want residents, businesses and community groups to help shape this future with us, securing sustainable developments that meet housing shortages and create vibrant places where people can live, work and thrive.”
The Local Plan sets out a long-term vision for Wigan borough until March 2039.
With all councils required by the government to have a local plan, its purpose is to allocate land to meet future housing and employment needs, deliver sufficient infrastructure to manage future developments, and lead the regeneration of towns and neighbourhoods.
The strategic document also sets out to protect valued green spaces, historical assets and long-standing communities, with a commitment to preserving the borough’s “greenheart” of parks, green spaces, woodlands and wetlands.
Future planning applications could be rejected if they do not align with the adopted plan.
With the council taking on board feedback from previous rounds of public consultation, an updated report found the borough’s current land supply is sufficient to meet its baseline employment land requirements, so the Local Plan can continue without the four employment sites.
To secure enough housing stock and meet future demands, six sites proposed for new homes have been retained.
These sites, which are not in the greenbelt, include land at North Leigh Park, south Hindley, south of Atherton, east of Atherton, and Landgate in Ashton.
Significant changes have been made to these sites following public feedback.
For example, there are further commitments for flood management provision, more certainty on road infrastructure, reductions in the number of homes, more variety in the mix of house types, and improved walking and cycling connections.
The south of Hindley site proposes up to 2,000 homes, but the changes state a link road must be funded and programmed before any homes are built.
A full investigation and mitigation measures regarding land contamination will also be undertaken for this site.
The updated plan requires developers to provide contributions towards the infrastructure needed to support new communities, such as health and care services, education, community facilities, open space, play areas, sport and recreation provision, and affordable housing.
Read more about the draft Local Plan and have your say at www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Consultations/Future-plan/Planning-for-the-Future-to-2040.aspx