Wigan Council is facing backlash for considering new work that would disrupt residents’ lives – including the life of our Prime Minister.
GB News can reveal in March of this year, a report was submitted on behalf of Costain Group and United Utilities, seeking to retain an existing site to be used as an “Induction Hub and Construction Skills Academy”.
If successful, plans would include “storage areas, parking, modular buildings, structures and containers to provide facilities including offices, for staff welfare and storage with associated access, boundary treatment, servicing, drainage, lighting and utilities” all being implemented for the next five years.
Locals are in uproar over the plans, which – if approved – would be located in the same area as Andy Burnham’s private residence.
Asked how the development would impact the Prime Minister and his property, a spokesman for Mr Burnham told GB News: “Our planning rules maintain strong protections for green belt land, and it is for councils to decide the outcome of local planning applications and consider whether development of this land can be justified.”
They added: “It would not be appropriate to comment on individual decisions.”
As such, GB News also reached out to both Wigan and St Helens Council for comment, given the would-be site lies close to the border of the two boroughs.
St Helens Council had not responded at the time of writing – although they are included in the planning application stating they have ‘no objection’ to the proposals – whilst Wigan Council said: “As with all planning applications, the potential impact of a development and community concerns will be carefully reviewed and taken into account before any decision is made.
“It is important that the process remains fair, transparent, and based on the relevant planning considerations, ensuring that all information is thoroughly assessed before a determination is reached.”
Although the initial permission for the site was granted until December 31 2024 to facilitate major work being carried out on the M6 Motorway, removal and reinstatement of the land was to be commenced by June 30 2025, more than a year ago.
Despite this, the land remains in the same condition, leading local residents to query why the agreed terms of the application have not been fulfilled.
One stated: “The temporary change of use has long since expired. Why hasn’t the land been returned to the original state and use? This should have been enforced. This is greenbelt agricultural land and should be used as such.”
The development itself would take up approximately 150 metres by 125 metres, spanning an area of more than five and a half hectares – that’s around seven to eight standard sized football pitches combined.
Moreover, the proposal states that the site would be active “24 hours a day, 7 days per week”, causing residents to raise concerns around light pollution and traffic.
One resident described the light pollution from the site as “outrageous”, with another adding: “The floodlighting is extremely bright and remains on throughout the night, adversely affecting the amenity of nearby residents. This level of artificial lighting is intrusive, disruptive, and out of keeping with what has historically been a rural setting.”
Other concerns from locals include problems with traffic from the site – with one suggesting that it has increased by “tenfold, if not more”since it opened. They also raise the loss of greenbelt land, issues with crime rates, air pollution, and the impact on wildlife in the area; with some noting a decline in rabbits, deer, hedgehogs, and owls.
And yet, as part of the application, documents are provided from various bodies which state that these concerns have been taken into consideration.
Greater Manchester Police has stated it is “happy” to support the development, if “effective security measures” are used to “deter and prevent criminal activity.”
There are also documents designed to assuage concerns surrounding light, noise and air pollution.
However, in terms of “heritage”, a document has also been submitted which states that “given the development was approved in 2020 until December 2024, and is still in situ, another five years on top of this means the proposal will have impacted upon the heritage assets for 10 – 11 years, a relatively long tenure to impart harm upon heritage.”
It instead suggests that, for the application to succeed, “buildings of a style and design more appropriate to an agricultural landscape should be proposed”.
Moreover, there is no mention of the terms “wildlife” or “animals” in the initial planning statement.
The concerns of residents have been summarised in a letter also included in the application; submitted by the Golborne and Lowton West Neighbourhood Forum.
In the letter, they state that they “strongly object” to the application, given the increased light, dust and traffic the site would create would have a “detrimental impact on the area”.
They conclude by stating: “We note that there is a strong desire in the area for the land to be returned to agricultural usage, and we are aware that the Farmer wishes to return the land to agricultural use, which we would strongly encourage.
“We would ask that the Council reject this application, as it offers no demonstrable benefits to Golborne.”
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