Gibfield Park campaigners urge locals to have their say

The Gibfield Preservation Group and campaigners fighting to save Bridgewater West are calling on people to take part in Wigan Council's Local Plan consultation to help protect natural spaces across the borough.

They warn the plan could lead to significant loss of green belt land, wildlife habitats, and community green spaces, which they argue are vital for biodiversity and residents' wellbeing.

The Wigan local plan will have an impact on various green sites around Westhoughton and Atherton, including Gibfield Park, a green space linking Atherton and Daisy Hill.

Amanda Coleman, chair of the Gibfield Preservation Group, said: "Gibfield may be one of the most visible examples of what is at stake, but this consultation is really about the future of green spaces across the whole borough.

The group's stall at Westhoughton Carnival (Image: Amanda Coleman)

"Gibfield is a valued wildlife corridor, community asset, and part of Atherton's natural heritage.

"The Local Plan consultation provides an opportunity for Wigan Council to revisit the evidence on housing need, infrastructure, and environmental impact before irreversible decisions are made.

"We are asking residents to make their voices heard and help ensure that the borough's most important green spaces receive the protection they deserve."

Campaigners argue that economic growth and new housing cannot come at the expense of irreplaceable green spaces, and they are calling for stronger evidence that infrastructure improvements will be delivered before development begins.

They have raised concerns about increased traffic, loss of natural habitats, and the impact on physical and mental health if green spaces are built on.

A spokesperson for the Bridgewater West campaign said: "Residents have repeatedly shown how much they value the green belt and the role it plays in protecting communities from urban sprawl, supporting wildlife, and providing access to nature.

"We are concerned that the cumulative impact of housing, warehousing, new roads, and associated development across the borough has not been fully recognised.

"We are calling on Wigan Council to ensure that growth is genuinely sustainable, evidence-led, and balanced against the long-term environmental and social value of the green belt."

The groups are also questioning whether the scale and location of proposed growth remains justified in light of changing economic circumstances, evolving housing needs, and growing public concern about climate resilience and environmental protection.

Gibfield Park (Image: Dan Dougherty)

They warn that the two-year review process built into the plan could result in further green belt loss if assumptions are not carefully reconsidered.

Campaigners want the council to look again at the broader impact of multiple developments across the borough, rather than assessing each site in isolation.

They argue that only by considering the full, combined effects of housing, warehousing, and transport schemes can the true scale of change be understood.

Residents in Atherton, Astley, Boothstown, and the wider Wigan borough have until 5pm on October 21 to submit evidence-based responses to the consultation.

The groups are calling on the public to demand stronger protections for green belt land, wildlife, community green spaces, and infrastructure before any further development is approved.

Submissions can be sent by email to planningpolicy@wigan.gov.uk.