Residents' joy as huge, multi-million pound development is REJECTED

Campaigners who are opposed to a new multi-million pound industrial site in Ashton clinched victory after a planning committee rejected the application. Glenbrook, the applicant was denied approval for their 625,000 square foot industrial, storage and distribution space with offices by Wigan Council’s planning committee.

The proposed site is located in the land south east of South Lancashire Industrial Estate off Lockett Road, a section of green space residents say they use regularly. The loss of green space was one of the points the opposition group Keep Ashton Green put forward at the meeting.

Alan Hardy, representing Keep Ashton Green at the planning committee, said: “Regardless of how much mitigation there is and alterations of road junctions made, this development will increase traffic in Ashton.

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“It will increase HGV movements through our town centre and it will increase air pollution for thousands of residents. Regardless of financial offers to offset the loss of biodiversity, this development will destroy a huge area of local green space.

"It will contribute to climate change. Nearly 500 people in Ashton have objected to this including councillors and our MP Yvonne Fovargue.

"Over 3,000 local residents have joined the Keep Ashton Green group, including members of this committee. The lack of road infrastructure in Ashton was highlighted by the High Street Task Force in March this year and will likely be the foundation for Ashton’s levelling up fund. Is it a good idea to make a very bad situation even worse?”

What do you make of the decision? Have your say below.

Dan Symonds,