A PLANNING application to build 100 houses on land to the south of Atherton has been submitted.

The houses will be built on a field immediately south of Hope Fold Avenue, between Bee Fold lane and St. Michael’s Primary School.

The plan sparked outrage when residents were first informed about it in December as the area was not part of Wigan Council’s core strategy.

Pat Mills, who lives on Hope Fold Avenue, said: “The documentation for this application appears to cover all the land from Howe Bridge across to Hindsford (designated WIG156) and the field with Bee Fold pond.

“If Wigan Council accepts this documentation the planning committee would effectively be nodding through their support for the development of WIG156 as a whole plus the additional land with Bee Fold pond.

“WIG156 is the last remaining green space in Atherton but it won’t be there for much longer if councillors on the Wigan planning committee allow this development to go ahead.

Mrs Mills also thinks that as residents were not made aware of the application until last week very little time is left for the public to object.

Steve Normington, director of economy at Wigan Council, said: “An outline planning application has been submitted to Wigan Council, covering the area south of Hope Fold Avenue to Bee Fold Lane, for the erection of up to 100 dwellings.

“We are keen to hear residents’ views on the application before it goes to a planning committee in the summer. These views are taken into account before a decision is made.

“Site notices have been distributed in the area, nearby residents have received letters and a planning notice will be published in this week’s local paper – all of which set out how the plans can be viewed and how comments can be made.”

Objections, quoting application number A/14/79203 Land South West of Bee Fold Lane Atherton should be addressed to: Mr. D. Rawsthorne, Places Directorate, Economy and Skills, Development Management, Wigan Council, P.O. Box 100, Wigan WN1 3DS before May 6.

  • What do you think about the application? Email your comments to newsdesk@leighjournal.co.uk.