Plans for a huge development in the south Hindley area of Wigan has been the focus of intense scrutiny by hundreds who attended two public consultations. Hosted in Hindley and Hindley Green by real estate advisors Avison Young on behalf of Wigan council and Peel, the gatherings allowed residents to voice their concerns over the 2,000-home scheme, with many supporting one message: "There can be no homes without roads."
A revised application for the development is poised to be lodged early February, refining a proposal first introduced in 2018, with a verdict anticipated by autumn 2025.
The vision for the development encompasses a 'mixed-use' along with a crucial new east-west link road featuring four entry points. Additionally, it aims to create a local hub complete with a primary school, potential retail spaces, a healthcare facility, and other community assets.
But both attendees spoken to by the Local Democracy Reporting Service and local councillors, including James Palmer, John Vickers and Paul Blay, insist on the need for a significant by-pass through Hindley to mitigate existing traffic pressures between Wigan and Bolton before any construction commences. Some 500 people attended the two events. Brian Neary, 65, speaking at the session at St John's Church in Hindley Green, said: "The amount of houses doesn't bother me. I know people need somewhere to live."
"The problem is whether we've got the infrastructure. The road through the estate that will link Liverpool Road and Leigh Road will add to the traffic that's already there. And those roads are choc-full even now, and that's before 2,000 houses with the potential of another 4,000 cars are to be considered.", reports .
"Sometimes from Hindley it takes me an hour to get into Wigan by car and it's only four miles away. What I am saying is that we can't have homes with no roads."
Peter Skellern, a 77 year old local resident with inside knowledge of the traffic issue, said: "Route 225 (which would have linked the M6 at Orrell with the M61 at Westhoughton, was designed to cater for existing traffic.
"Adding more housing sections of road piece meal isn't going to work. I think what they're trying to do is build the relief road in sections along with more housing, but it will just make matters worse.
"I spent the last 25 years of my working life doing traffic impact assessments, so I know what I'm talking about."
However, not everyone was against the plan. Bob Watson, 71, said: "We simply need more houses. There is a cycle route planned through the housing which I am very much in favour of.
"It's sad that I am the only person who seems to be in favour of it. If you are in your early 20s and trying to get on the housing ladder this is a good thing."
Rachael, 41, concurred, stating: "I support the plan for the houses and the link road. You need to apply a bit of critical thinking to it. The traffic issue is everywhere you go."
Julia Ratcliffe, 50, a resident of Park Road on the north side of the proposed development, expressed her concerns: "It's only a narrow single lane road where car park either side. I fear we're going to be gridlocked. And what about the wildlife on the green land that there now? There's newt and deer habitats on that land."
Her friend Carole Fairhurst also mourned the potential loss of heath land, saying: "I learned to ride on that land, and it was there that I first fell off a horse," Meanwhile, Coun Palmer, one of the visitors to the St John's Church consultation, criticised the south Hindley plan as 'very vague'. He said: "I don't think they're very sure of what the plan is."
He added: "I've lived in Hindley Green all my life and in this area my family goes back several generations. If they build 2,000 houses, there's likely to be 4,000 cars. We've already got cars and HGVS flying up down the roads. People's lives will be at risk."
Wigan Council's Director of Place, Aiden Thatcher, commented on the new masterplan for the area south of Hindley, saying: "This refreshed masterplan for the site south of Hindley aims to deliver its best for our present and future communities, addressing issues raised in historic discussions about this site.
"Principles in this outline application include much-needed housing, including affordable homes, part of a wider east-west road link and major investment in education facilities, while retaining and improving green space for community use.
"While we cannot pre-judge the decision of the planning committee, the section of the M6-M61 link road within this site is a key part of the wider strategic plan to deliver wider east-west connectivity which is a priority for the council."
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