A controversial housing development is due to be decided tomorrow with 120 objectors hoping it gets rejected. The 84-home plan submitted by Jockey Club Racecourses that run Haydock Racecourse in Wigan, which neighbours the proposed development, would also see two houses on Windsor Road demolished.
The site is currently used by the racecourse as an overflow car park on very few occasions throughout the year when meets take place. The two bungalows that would be demolished are also owned by the racecourse which borders Golborne, Ashton and Newton-le-Willows.
Traffic issues and poor road infrastructure are two of the key reasons why objectors want to see this application refused.
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“The local area cannot accommodate any more houses, our roads are already crowded and the potential for another 160 plus cars using Windsor Road and Heath Road are really not practical,” one objector said in a letter. “It's bad enough as it is with all of the school traffic and commuter traffic that passes through.
“I personally want to know why they keep pushing, trying to get an application through knowing full well the residents in the area are strongly opposed to this development. It should be put to bed once and for all and they should be told they cannot build on this piece of land.”
The traffic and road infrastructure issues raised by objectors were not shared by the highways team who raised no objections to the application as they believe this would not cause a significant impact on road infrastructure - a requirement for this to be deemed worthy of refusal. According to the officer’s report, “the principle of residential development is considered acceptable and all matters relating to highways have been sufficiently addressed to officers’ satisfaction”.
Windsor Road is used as a bypass from Warrington which has heavy traffic, according to objectors who believe the area does not have capacity for more houses. Objectors also claim that this could lead to smaller roads becoming rat runs.
A spokesman for Jockey Club Racecourses said: “As part of the Local Plan, Wigan Council has recognised a significant need for housing in the area and identified a parcel of land within Haydock Park as a preferred site for development. As a result and following positive pre-application consultation with Wigan Council and a public consultation we have prepared and submitted an outline planning application for up to 84 residential homes including a policy compliant number of affordable homes.
“Development on the site would have no impact whatsoever on racing at Haydock Park or affect any of the facilities, including parking and access to the racecourse.”
The developer believes the site would be an attractive prospect for commuters working in Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan and Warrington due to its close proximity to the M6. However, current residents in the area believe the housing is not needed due to lack of access to the site.
The decision will be made at the Planning Committee meeting at Wigan Town Hall tomorrow after being recommended for approval by officers.
