There are plans to build 1,250 houses on the site known as South of Atherton. This is outside of Wigan Council’s own Core Strategy and other sites within the Strategy have not yet seen substantial development.
As a stepping stone towards this huge housing scheme that will totally change the character of the area and place a huge burden upon local infrastructure, one hundred houses were intended to be built just by Bee Fold Lane. The planning document from the Council said that it is “minded to grant planning permission”.
Chris Green said “I support the campaign to protect Atherton from unwelcome building especially when it is outside Wigan Council’s own plans. The strength of opposition to the plans was shown by the dozens of supporters who went to the Council meeting and the passion and merit of the argument to protect the community and local green spaces. It is the first time that I’ve been to a council meeting where people were delighted by the result”.
This is only a defeat for the initial 100 houses so we now have to ensure that Atherton is protected from the full 1,250 housing scheme.