Maxine Southwell returned home to Tyldesley, Wigan, after a holiday, only to be heartbroken by the transformation of her garden view. For 18 years, she and her family enjoyed the serene landscape overlooking a field. However, that landscape has been replaced by towering warehouses, part of the controversial Astley Business Park development backed by PLP.
Wigan’s Planning Controversy
In 2024, Wigan Council granted planning permission for the construction of four warehouses, each reaching up to 60 feet tall. The development began earlier this year, shocking local residents, including the Southwell family. Maxine, aged 57, expressed her disbelief upon seeing the massive structures after just two weeks away.
“We were like, ‘wow, what is that?’ I burst into tears,” Ms. Southwell explained. The magnitude of the construction struck them hard, dramatically changing the neighborhood’s aesthetic.
Community Outcry
The Southwells are part of the Astley Warehouse Action group. This coalition of concerned residents opposes the development on multiple grounds, feeling it clashes with their established residential area. Since the 1970s, Tyldesley has been primarily residential, and locals believe smaller buildings should have been constructed instead of the current large warehouses.
- The action group is urging Wigan Council to halt construction, citing serious concerns about local aesthetics and property value.
- The council maintains that the planning application was transparent about building specifications.
Despite the council’s assurances, residents have reported adverse effects from the construction, including flooding and noise pollution. Many fear that the heavy construction activity will further degrade their living conditions.
Property Damage and Emotional Toll
Residents like Maxine Southwell have begun to witness flooding in their gardens, which they attribute to the construction site’s drainage systems. “We’ve never had flooding in 18 years. Now, it’s just getting worse,” she lamented. Concerns are growing as the water levels encroach closer to their homes.
John and Jackie Peters, who have lived in their home for 36 years, share similar frustrations. They describe witnessing the rapid growth of “this steel monster” and express how it overshadows their once peaceful environment.
Effects on Daily Life
Local families, such as Paul Bullough’s, report that the construction has drastically altered their quality of life. Bullough noted that his daughter has been unable to use their garden due to the constant noise and dust. “It’s like a thundercloud,” he said, explaining how the development overwhelms their once tranquil space.
Other residents have reported physical damage to their homes. Paula Boardman mentioned cracks forming in her walls due to vibrations from the heavy machinery. Residents are finding it devastating to witness their homes, which they have invested love and money into, suffer these damages.
Future Outlook
As the construction progresses, the Astley Warehouse Action group continues to petition for halt measures, highlighting the community’s displeasure concerning the development. Wigan Council has opened an independent audit to enhance transparency in the planning process, though residents remain skeptical.
Local authorities maintain that the development will create jobs and bolster the economy, but for those affected, the emotional and environmental costs feel too high. “It’s devastating. This is our home,” concluded Ms. Southwell.
