Wigan Local Development Framework Core Strategy Examination-in-Public

The inclusion of South of Atherton in the housing supply

Wigan Council 6 February 2012

The inclusion of South of Atherton in the housing supply 1.1 At the hearing session on matter 1, confirmed at the hearing session on matter 4, the council identified the South of Atherton site as part of the housing supply within the east-west core of the borough. 1.2 This position accords with policy SP1, which identifies Atherton as being within the east-west core of the borough and states that “In the east of the borough development will be focused on / Atherton…”. 1.3 It also accords with policy CP6 which states that around 85% of new housing will be focused on the east-west core of the borough. 1.4 The South of Atherton site has been considered as part of the sustainability appraisal but as a mixed use proposal. It was not included as a broad location because it was not considered to be viable for economic development as part of a mixed use proposal. However, it is now needed for housing. 1.5 The site has good accessibility with bus services to the east and west on Road and Leigh Road, and programmed connections into the Leigh-Salford-Manchester busway, which will be operational in 2014. There are good walking and cycling routes into the town centre and it will help to support the vitality and viability of the town centre. It enjoys a good level of local services and amenities. Road access can be achieved from a variety of points with the main access likely to be from Leigh Road near to the sports centre. 1.6 There are no constraints on the site or off-site that would prohibit development. The principle landowner is supportive. The council is one of two other landowners and would be able to facilitate development. The principle landowner has submitted a further statement in support of the proposal, including statements on delivery and viability, which is attached as an appendix. It also includes information from the council’s key sites proforma circulated in advance of the hearing 1.7 The site is part of the same regeneration corridor as East of Atherton, Northleigh Park and South of Hindley and will deliver transformational development in an area in need of regeneration. 1.8 The site has been included in the revised housing trajectory table to deliver 1,250 houses by 2028, with a total capacity of 1,422. The first housing would be built in 2020/21, six years after the commencement of Northleigh Park and four years after commencement of South of Hindley. It would not reach full annual delivery until 2024/25, close to the completion of Northleigh Park and after completion of East of Atherton. 1.9 While part of the same regeneration corridor, the South of Atherton site is over one mile from Northleigh Park at their closest points, and nearly two miles from South of Hindley. South of Atherton is within a local housing market comprising Atherton, Tyldesley and Astley, and in the wider markets of Bolton and Manchester. At the hearing, Peel Developments Ltd stated that they see the western part of South of Hindley as being within the Wigan housing market. Northleigh Park sits in between the two in a Hindley and Leigh housing market. However, Northleigh in particular, but also South of Hindley, have the potential to integrate the borough much more effectively as a single place. 1.10 A combination of the phasing and the locations means that the three locations will be complementary. 1.11 As noted above, we did consider the site as a key strategic site or broad location for new development and given its size and capacity for housing, there is a case for it being identified as a broad location now as a proposed change to the Draft Core Strategy. This would be a significant change but not a major change given its accordance with the spatial strategy and housing policy. Appendix: Submission from Acland Bracewell on behalf of Tarleton Estates Limited WIGAN COUNCIL – LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – CORE STRATEGY LAND SOUTH OF ATHERTON Site Reference: WIG 156 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Site Location 1.1.1. The site is situated to the west of Tyldesley Road and south of Hamilton Street, within the township of Atherton and is located to the south of Atherton and to the west of Tyldesley. 1.1.2 The location grid reference of the site is set out below: Easting 367490 Northing 402461

1.1.3 The site (as shown edged red on the plan attached) extends to 60.07ha (148.43 acres) or thereabouts and comprises three landowners, who are as follows:

No. Landowner Landowner Contact Details Area of Ownership (ha) 1 Tarleton Estates c/o Acland Bracewell 44.08 Limited Surveyors Limited The Barrons Church Road Tarleton Preston PR4 6UP 2 Wigan Council Business Support Services 11.34 Property Division Wigan Council Town Hall Library Street Wigan WN1 1YN 3 Mark Lancaster c/o Acland Bracewell 4.65 Surveyors Limited The Barrons Church Road Tarleton Preston Lancashire PR4 6UP

1.1.4 The site comprises poor quality agricultural land (Agricultural Land Classification Plan Grade 3c) and is enclosed to the north, west and east by the built form of the urban area of Atherton and Tyldesley. The land is predominantly down to rough grazing, together with sports pitches and an element of woodland 1.2 Relevant Planning Policy 1.2.1 The Site is designated in its entirety as Safeguarded Land in accordance with Policy GB2 of the Wigan Unitary Development Plan (Adopted 2006) and is classified as WIG 156 in the Wigan Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2011 Update. 1.2.2 Safeguarded land as defined in the proposal map, may be required to meet longer-term development needs beyond the period of that Plan without the need to alter the Green Belt boundary. 1.2.2 The following is a list of policy pertaining to the site: - Planning Policy Statement 1 - Delivering Sustainable Development (‘PPS1’) - Planning Policy Statement 3 – Housing (‘PPS3’) - Planning Policy Statement 4 – Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth - Planning Policy Statement 12 – Local Spatial Planning (‘PPS12’) - Planning Policy Statement 13 - Transport 2.0 EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE 2.1 Physical Infrastructure 2.1.1 The following infrastructure has been identified at the site: Infrastructure Public transport accessibility - Bus Quality Bus Corridor along Leigh Road Services 250m from the western edge of the site. The nearest bus connections on Tyldesley Road are: 12 Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley Road, Tyldesley, Walkden, Manchester (½ hourly) 32 Wigan, Atherton, Tyldesley Road, Tyldesley, Ellenbrook, Manchester (½ hourly) 132 Trafford Centre (hourly) 592 Leigh, Leigh Infirmary, Bedford, Astley, Blackmoor, Tyldesley, Tyldesley Road, Atherton, Bolton (½ hourly) 685 Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley Road, Sharkerley, Tyldesley, Garrett Hall (hourly) 686 Hag Fold, Atherton, Tyldesley Road, Tyldesley, Astley, Blackmoor, Bedford, Leigh (½ hourly) Leigh-Salford-Manchester Busway Operational in 2014 and within walking distance to the eastern part of the site Road Access Access from the B5215 Leigh Road is the most likely option for the main access, with access also possible from a variety of residential streets in Atherton and Tyldesley and the A577 Tyldesley Road. Rail Connection Passenger/ Freight: No connection. Nearest station is distance of 1.7km Electricity Supply To be assessed Water Supply United Utilities report no or minor capacity/servicing/cost issues Gas Supply To be assessed Surface Water drainage United Utilities report no or minor capacity/servicing/cost issues Foul Drainage United Utilities report no or minor capacity/servicing/cost issues Other comments There may be sewerage and drainage issues, which require consent Social Infrastructure Primary Schools Sacred Heart RC St Michael’s CE Hindsford CE Parklee Community All located within close proximity to the site. Secondary Schools Fred Longworth High (Adjacent to southeast of site), established as academy on 01-09-2011 and provides 11- 16