Housing development earmarked for area ‘already at breaking point’

It could be the next stage of the overhaul of a business park in the Mosley Common area of Tyldesley.

Developers Bellway Homes are after permission to add the two to four bedroom family homes, to a site already set for 154 houses.

Parr Bridge Retail Park hosts a wealth of businesses including a Starbucks, a Lidle and a nursery – with a gym and more yet to come. 

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The move has attracted objections as it is to a site already set for 154 houses (Image: Wigan Council/Bellway Homes)

The detached, semi-detached and mews-style homes would sit behind the Mosley Common Road based business park off Silk Mill Street – which is green belt land.

Some locals have objected, saying they believe developers are jumping the gun as the land has not yet been released under Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Places for Everyone plan – which is currently under review.

Objectors also have concerns that current infrastructure in the area, which is subject to a separate 1,100 home proposed development by Peel L&P, is already "at breaking point".

Parr Bridge Retail Park (Image: Google Maps)

“The local area is already at breaking point as the infrastructure is not able to cope with both the number of people needing things like doctors and schools,” one objection letter reads.

“With the existing traffic congestion constantly clogging up all local routes, this causes long delays at peak times and damage to all local roads.

“The junction onto the East Lancs (A580) at Mosley Common is horrific and cannot accommodate the traffic levels with cars routinely being stuck in queues up to and onto Sale Lane and beyond towards Tyldesley at peak time.”

Site plan for Bellway Homes' 105-home development (Image: Wigan Council/Bellway Homes)

Although no proposals from the developer have included any money towards local schools or doctors to increase capacity – there are 26 affordable homes lined up to be included in this project.

There would be 21 two-bed homes and five three-bed homes constructed as affordable homes.

“The proposed development could support around 119 temporary jobs on-site and in the wider economy per annum over the expected three-year build programme,” the planning statement reads. 

“The proposed development could generate an additional £22m of gross value added (GVA) to the regional economy.”

No decision has been made by Wigan Council so far, but if it were to be approved, there is still a decision to be made following the review of the Places for Everyone plan.

Currently, inspectors are looking into various issues surrounding the strategy to build 165,000 homes across Greater Manchester over the next 15 years.