Frustrated residents have been left reeling after a bid to halt the construction of four ‘monstrous’ warehouses was rejected by council chiefs.
The Wigan Council has ignored a 10,000-strong signature petition and ruled out halting building on the 18-metre grey giants.
Despite growing anger amongst neighbours in Tyldesley, the authority remains ‘confident’ planning permission granted for the warehouses last year in June, ‘aligns with national planning policy’.
The warehouses, which have been compared to ‘cruise liners’, form part of the Astley Business Park development – including four vast industrial units spanning 350,000 sq ft.
The developer is giant landowner PLP – Peel Land and Property.
Two have permission to be built up to 18.3m (60ft), with one already leased to delivery firm Whistl under a 15-year deal.
The Astley Warehouse Action Group called for work on the buildings to come to a standstill last month, following campaigners’ accusing the council of avoiding the ‘most serious evidence’.
Neighbours said they have proof that the noise and visual mitigation used to justify the planning approval ‘could never legally have been built’.
The Facebook group that has around 3000 members released a statement saying the council had ‘avoided every major issue raised’.
Aerial images show the effects of the ‘monstrous’ warehouses on neighbours, where cladding installed is now blocking light and creating darkness
One of the claims includes 25 revised drawings and changes to the landscaping scheme, which were uploaded to the planning portal five months after public consultation had closed.
The group said under the roles of national planning, they should have been noticed about any changes made after consultation.
In response to anger, the council denied there were any amendments to reduce the landscaping.
Residents fired back, saying the council had not addressed drainage and flood risk issues.
But the authority did not accept that the ‘approved drainage model’ does not reflect the site as built.
Furious campaigns are now demanding direct answers from the Wigan Council and want construction to be paused while evidence is being reviewed.
They also want the council to commission a backdated assessment on the environment and visual impact.
A council spokesperson said: ‘Following careful examination of the legislation and a further site visit this week, we have found no grounds to lawfully issue a temporary stop notice.
One of the 18-metre-high warehouses towering over a two-storey home in Tyldesley
‘As there has been no breach of planning control, there is no legal basis to enact such a request and to do so would not only be unlawful, but risk incurring high adverse costs to the taxpayer.
‘We are confident that the decision to grant planning permission aligns with national planning policy.
‘Nonetheless, we fully acknowledge the concerns being raised, and we have committed to carrying out an independent audit of the planning process to ensure additional transparency. We will remain in dialogue with the group as that progresses.’
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously met and discussed plans with residents.
They noted he was ‘sympathetic’ to their concerns but was limited in power.
Their demands follow Councillor James Fish quitting Wigan Council’s planning committee after being the only councillor to vote against the original warehouse plans.
He has also claimed his colleagues have admitted behind close doors, they ‘didn’t release how tall’ the buildings would be.
Other families in the area are questioning whether or not to stay and are concerned about the structures impact on property values.
The view from one resident’s backyard showing the 18-metre giant grey warehouse
Paula Boardman, 47, said: ‘It’s quite upsetting, because we used to have such a lovely view. We knew this was going to be built, but we thought it was going to be a lot smaller.
‘As soon as the framework went up, everyone realised the height of it – it’s humungous. I’m worried it’s going to take all our sunlight.
‘It’s like a cruise ship at the back of our garden. Even if we wanted to move, I think the value of the house has gone down.’
Care worker Danielle Edwards, 38, fears the warehouse could make it difficult to sell her home in the future.
She said: ‘It’s awful. We bought this house because we’re a young family wanting to stay in the area.
‘It would be very difficult to move. I can see it from my back garden. We thought they were going to be low-rise industrial units, but they’re not.’
Aidan Thatcher, director for place at Wigan Council, has previously told the Daily Mail: ‘This planning application went through our planning consultation and committee process.
‘The final plans include landscaping, which will help to screen and soften the appearance and mitigate the impact on nearby properties.
‘We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development, bringing new jobs and investment to the area, is delivered properly.’
An agent for PLP declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.
