Council blocks latest Standish housing plan

Wigan Council has rejected a planning application by Jones Homes Fylde to build 110 units on land near Chorley Road in the village of Standish.

The application was rejected on Tuesday by councillors on the planning committee who decided there is already enough new housing planned in the area. The rejection follows a similar decision in July to throw out an application by Persimmon and Morris Homes to build 250 homes on the former golf course site in Standish, the second phase of a 500-unit development plan. The first 250 units were approved in January.

A spokesman for the council said: "House building in the village has proved hugely controversial since the government instructed the council to allow for approximately 1,000 new houses there. The council opposed that decision but was forced to accept it or lose control of its housing plans. The planning committee has already granted permission for 1,042 new homes in Standish – meeting the government's required total and meaning further developments can be refused. Officers recommended this latest application be thrown out."

Cllr David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: "We're sticking to the Core Strategy. The government inspector wanted 1,000 homes in Standish and we've granted permission for that. However, we don't think the village can accommodate any more or that local residents should have to tolerate further development. This decision shows Wigan Council is willing to stand up for the people of Standish and vindicates our approach to house building.

"The 1,042 homes we've already approved will help fund major improve work in the village and the developments will include a significant amount of affordable housing at our insistence."

Jones Homes Fylde declined to comment.