Chief who oversaw controversial Astley warehouses to leave post

Aidan Thatcher has been the borough’s director of place since 2022. One of the most senior officers at the council, he was responsible for a wide range of headline services for the council including planning, housing, property and assets, building control, regeneration and economic development.

He headed the department which recommended approval of the controversial Astley warehouses development which was passed by the council’s planning committee in June 2024.

Among the huge projects brought forward during his tenure are the Galleries regeneration in the town centre into the Fettlers complex, the redevelopment at Eckersley mill within the Wigan pier area and attracting more than £20m of regeneration money to transform Haigh Hall.

The Astley logistics park has been roundly criticised for its size and proximity to homes in Tyldesley. An independent report last year concluded that the council had followed planning processes correctly.

The council has also recently changed tack on some employment and new homes projects set to be built on green spaces in the borough.

Last month, four such projects were left out of the draft local plan after being included in earlier strategic development plans.

The document greenlit for public consultation excludes development of The Bell, north of Junction 26 of the M6, the Moss Industrial Estate extension, a pocket of land West of Winwick Lane in Lowton, and the Bridgewater West allocation, which would have seen former greenbelt land in Astley allocated for a huge business park.

Mr Thatcher is a high profile figure in the world of local government and in 2022 delivered a keynote speech at LGC Future Places conference entitled ‘Creating inspiring places; building strong communities’.

He has more than 20 years of experience working within place based services and is a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

It is understood Mr Thatcher left the council post to pursue new challenges.

Reacting to Mr Thatcher’s resignation, Cllr James Fish, an independent member for Tyldesley and Mosley Common said: “I have repeatedly challenged the direction taken by the place directorate, particularly when it comes to major development, green belt and the way residents’ concerns have been handled.

“For me, the Astley warehouses will be a lasting example of what went wrong. “Huge warehouses were approved close to people’s homes and Garrett Hall Primary School, despite serious concerns being raised about the impact on the surrounding community.

“I believe Wigan Council and our communities need a different direction.”

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “During his time at Wigan council, Aidan has made a valued contribution to the organisation and to the borough.

“He has provided leadership across a wide range of services and programmes and has worked with colleagues, partners and communities to support the council’s priorities.”

Mr Thatcher declined to comment when approached about his leaving Wigan council.