A quarter of the houses will be affordable. Credit: via Lexington

Peel’s £155m Mosley Common plans inch forward

Having cleared an initial hurdle in July, a possible 1,100 Wigan homes will face further scrutiny, with a local councillor raising concerns over their impact.

Peel L&P revealed plans for the 156-acre Tyldesley site in March, launching a consultation that espoused the breadth of the offer: 25% affordable, with homes aimed at first-time buyers, families, downsizers and the elderly.

The site, which housed a colliery and brickworks between the mid-19th century and the 1960s, is allocated for large-scale housing development. In late July, Peel’s plan was approved in outline at the local level. Peel said it will now proceed to a detailed planning application following further consultation.

Annabel Baker, Peel L&P’s associate director of development planning said: “Earlier this year we held a detailed public consultation to help create a masterplan for a new community at Mosley Common in Wigan – a £155m investment for the area with new homes including affordable housing, parklands, improved public transport and around 200 new jobs.

“This masterplan provides a framework for future development and establishes a commitment to infrastructure and extensive green space. It has been developed in line with the emerging Places for Everyone strategy for Greater Manchester and was approved by Wigan Council’s portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport on 27 July.

“The next step is to bring forward a detailed planning application for the site which will be shaped by the local people as part of another public consultation. This would help to add more information to certain aspects of the development including the school and the infrastructure needed to support a new residential community.

“The masterplan is now to be considered by the council’s scrutiny committee and we await further information and a meeting later this month to agree next steps.”

In an online post on 5 August, Cllr Stuart Gerrard, who represents Independent Network Atherton, said plans of such scale require further scrutiny. He said: “The knock-on effects of this proposal will significantly affect residents in our locality.

“We are already seeing school places pushed to the limit, especially secondary schools. This development would only exacerbate the problem. In the masterplan there’s no mention of upgrading the road networks, which are already congested, or secondary school funding to increase school places.”

Cllr Gerrard said concerned residents had asked him to call the application in for scrutiny, “as the Labour councillors in the area were happy with the masterplan – I was more than happy to oblige with support from other opposition councillors”.

In neighbouring Bolton, Peel has also faced opposition in trying to develop a Ryder Cup golf course and 1,000 homes at Hulton Park.

Although an earlier version of the scheme has approval, updated plans were this year denied, leading the developer to launch an appeal. Bolton Council has confirmed it will not be defending its position on planning grounds.

Your Comments

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Always interesting how local constrains over opportunity is the starting point from local politicians.

By TJL

And yet every day we read about houses being too expensive. We need more supply so these things should be flying through the planning system instead of inching forward.

By Simon

The roads are already modelled to be over 100% capacity. This development makes problems worse (inc. mitigation). Homes should be in the right places.

By Scott

Its ok chuckig 1000’s of houses at areas, but in the real world we children being sent to other districts because of a lack of education places available, we have read this week about NHS dentists, GP places are at a premium and all these need addressing. The existing infrastructure simply isnt adequate in most places. These large developments need more than just homes and we all know it

By PS

Typical Wigan Authority in the fact that they pass plans that rakes in council rates but it is Salford that will feel the major impact in services, traffic and major disruption

By Anonymous

Our local roads are more like car parks at peak periods with standing traffic queues on the A577 from the A580 and the A5082(Mort lane) into Tyldesley town centre. Almost 7 years on from the guided bus route to Manchester being opened, I’m still waiting for the traffic congestion issues to be addressed, and while I’m told “No funds” are available we still pave the way for developers to invest millions building new homes for profit. Surely a sustainable road infrastructure is key to any major development of this size prior to it getting the go ahead.

By GW

Peel, again, they seem determined to gridlock parts of Salford with huge developments and no care for all of the usual infrastructure requirements first. They have another planned on Hazelhurst farm just a couple of miles back down the east Lancs that doesn’t even have access! Oh but it will be 25% ‘affordable ‘ ..that old chestnut.

By Anonymous

You would think Wigan and Salford councils would work together to establish the impact on all residents in Tyldesley, Boothstown, Ellenbrook, Walkden and Worsley, directly as a result of 1100 new homes, when you factor the volume of homes built in all the areas above in the last 25 years.

By Anonymous

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