Blueprint for new homes on greenfield land near Wigan college

Proposals have been submitted to Wigan Council requesting consent to create the houses on land south of Winstanley Road, Billinge.

The outline application, drawn up by Lawrenson Associates on behalf of Gareth Delaney, says the site, across from Winstanley College, is “located in the borough’s green belt.”

The plans claimed the proposed development will provide a “valuable contribution towards the borough’s housing stock.”

It reads: “This supporting planning statement has been prepared to support an outline planning application, which proposes the redevelopment of 0.6Ha of land, to facilitate up to nine affordable dwellings on greenfield land, which is located to the eastern side of Winstanley Road, Wigan.

“The development site is large enough to accommodate the proposed number of units, whilst also ensuring that access and circulation within the site for both vehicles and pedestrians does not compromise highway or pedestrian safety.

“The proposals to deliver affordable housing on this site would seek to meet an identified shortfall in the provision of new dwellings in the borough, particularly those that can be reasonably described as affordable and for a specific community group such as the elderly or disabled.”

Vehicular and pedestrian access to the site would be taken through a new opening onto Winstanley Road.

While the site is close to local amenities including shopping, schools, medical services and local public transport.

The plans also said the proposed development is for affordable homes only, and that the viability of the site as a residential development “may be compromised” if the developer is asked to contribute towards educational, open space and other infrastructure related development in the borough.

It said that the applicant would be willing to discuss and negotiate with the council, should there be the necessity to enter into any formal agreement as part of the planning application

It said: “The development site is large enough to accommodate the proposed number of units, whilst also ensuring that access and circulation within the site for both vehicles and pedestrians does not compromise highway or pedestrian safety.

It added: “The applicant considers that there are no material reasons why outline planning permission should not be granted in this case, with a view to providing a valuable contribution towards the supply of new affordable homes in the borough.”

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