A proposal for a 57-home development in Standish is likely to be approved at the upcoming Wigan planning committee meeting, despite opposition from over 170 residents and local councillors. The project, proposed by housebuilding giant Persimmon Homes, involves constructing the homes on a six-acre plot on Pepper Lane, behind an unoccupied bungalow that will be demolished if the plans are approved.
Should the proposal receive approval, in line with planning officers' recommendations, the developer will contribute nearly £600,000 towards Standish's infrastructure, play space, and 'off-site biodiversity net gain provision', under what is known as a Section 106 contribution. The site currently features grassland and a disused paddock previously used for equestrian activities.
The planned houses would vary in size from one to four bedrooms and include five bungalows, two of which would be offered at 'affordable rent'. The development would feature a variety of detached, semi-detached and mews-style dwellings, with all except the bungalows being two-storey properties.
Of the total dwellings, 15 would be classified as affordable, representing 26 per cent of the total. These affordable homes would offer a mix of tenures, with four designated as first homes, and four intermediate and seven available at affordable rent.
Residents, councillors, local advocacy group Standish Voice, and water firm United Utilities have all registered their opposition. Standish Voice has declared: "Standish is full and there is no need for further executive housing", reports .
The group added: "The Standish Neighbourhood Plan stipulates that new housing should be 100pc affordable or accommodation for our elderly residents. The proposal breaches policies in the Standish Neighbourhood Plan."
United Utilities has criticised a submitted drainage plan as 'not acceptable', highlighting a lack of robust evidence that the drainage hierarchy has been properly explored and arguing that the propositions fail to comply with the Non-Statutory Technical Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems. Councillors Ray Whittingham and Terry Anthony Mugan have similarly expressed disapproval of the project.
A comprehensive list of objections includes concerns over redundancy in housing provision, claiming 'Standish has provided enough'. A local points out, "It's resembling a small town now," while another suggests prioritising development on alternative brownfield sites first.
Additional feedback highlights that the earmarked land is safeguarded and should remain undeveloped, with a resident writing, "The infrastructure cannot cope, and other areas which are less developed have been provided with new health facilities".
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