Development of 101 houses in Wigan looks odds-on for approval
A development of 101 houses in the Ince area of Wigan looks set to get the go-ahead when the town’s planning committee meets next Friday (Sepember 13). The scheme on the 8.5-acre site of a former ironworks at Phoenix Way, linking to the A572 Warrington Road has been recommended for approval by the council’s planning team.
Applicant Hive Homes (Greater Manchester) wants full permission for the residential development including roads, open space, sustainable drainage and landscaping. The site currently owned by the council is bounded by housing to the north and east and Ince Surgery (Claire House) to the west.
There is a dismantled railway line and open space to the south. If it is approved, there will be 13 detached, 38 semi-detached and 50 terraced/mews homes. This equates to eight two-bed; 90 three-bed; and three. four-bed properties.
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Some 25 of the homes will be classed as ‘affordable’ in line with Wigan council’s policy for a quarter of new developments to categorised as such. Each house will have a minimum of two car parking spaces, with electric vehicle charging points provided as standard per property. Cycle parking and bin storage will also be provided.
A report to be presented at the committee meeting says that there have been letters of objection from 22 separate addresses, alongside a petition comprising 178 names, of which 124 were from separate addresses and four of which are included in the previous neighbour consultation. A representation was also received from Coun Maureen O’Bern confirming support for a local resident’s comments relating to pedestrian access to Amberswood being maintained during the building programme.
The petition was also sent to the leader of the council Coun David Molyneux. Objectors say there are ‘more than enough houses in this area’, and that the road infrastructure in the area cannot cope with the current population. Parking at the medical centre nearby is ‘poor’, they say.
They also cite a lack of facilities to support the development such as doctors, dentists, schools and a lack of local shops. However, the report says: “The proposal will help contribute to the supply of housing within the borough and regionally.
“The site is located in an accessible, sustainable location and the proposed development represents a major inward investment into the borough, as well as other social and economic benefits including new jobs in the construction sector and indirectly within the local community, and helping to increase the competitiveness of the northern area of Greater Manchester through the delivery of high-quality energy-efficient housing.”