Residents form action group to fight warehouse hub

Impacted residents have formed an action group to fight the development

Hundreds of residents impacted by the construction of four large industrial warehouses overshadowing their homes have formed an action group in protest.

Some people living on the Henfold Estate in Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, said the new development had caused their house sales to fall through, with construction only yards away from their properties.

They have launched a fundraising campaign to force a judicial review into Wigan Council's decision to approve the 2024 planning application by PLP, part of Peel Group.

A council spokesman said the development had gone through all of the correct planning procedures and some measures to lessen the scheme's impact had yet to be completed.

Residents say the warehouses overshadow their homes

Peel Group has been contacted for comment, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Residents, some of whom bought their homes under a shared ownership scheme, said the stress of the construction of the 350,000 sq ft (32,500 sq m) warehouse hub was affecting their mental health.

They also said it having an adverse effect on staff and pupils at Garrett Hall Primary School, which also stands in the shadow of the warehouses.

The council's planning committee initially approved outline proposals for a development of low-rise warehouses in 2015.

Residents living on the estate at the time supported the scheme because the anticipated buildings would have been smaller and not as intrusive.

However, after that planning approval lapsed a new application for four 60ft (18m) high warehouses - which many residents have said they were unaware of - was approved in June 2024.

The industrial hub is made up of four warehouses

Resident Sandra Mehta said she and her husband had been unable to sell their home after construction started, despite dropping the asking price from £425,000 to £330,000.

"In the end we stopped trying to sell it," she said.

"We were hoping to move to Biddulph in Cheshire, but that dream has been ended."

Helen Halbous said she and her husband were in a similar situation.

She said: "It's absolutely devastating.

"We feel completely let down by the people who are supposed to be looking after us."

Responding to the comments about the planning process, Aiden Thatcher, director of place at Wigan Council, said: "We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development bringing new jobs and investment to the area is delivered properly."