More time to have say on Daisy Hill and Atherton development plans

Peel Land has extended the public consultation period on its proposed development masterplan for land at Gibfield Park, between Daisy Hill and the Wigan Road area of Atherton, for a further two weeks and announced plans for an online webinar.

The non-statutory pre-planning application consultation being held by Peel Land will now run for a further two weeks until Monday, March 9.

The emerging plans have seen many nearby residents voice opposition.

Peel said that they had already received ‘more than 500 representations’.

Amanda Coleman

A campaign group ‘Say No To Gibfield Park Development Plans’ are strongly opposed to the plans.

Last week group member Amanda Coleman, said: “For decades, it has been a place residents find solace amidst the rush of daily life and wildlife flourishes.

“But now, we are at risk of losing this precious space to the relentless march of development.

“Concrete jungles are spreading like wildfire across Greater Manchester and Atherton is no exception. “The planned development on Gibfield Park not only threatens our community’s health and well-being but also obliterates one of the few remaining areas where nature is allowed to flourish. This is unacceptable.”

An online webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 3 with interested parties able sign up to attend via the website. Attendees will be able to hear more about the proposals and direct questions to the project team.

Land west of Gibfield is included in the Places for Everyone Plan, adopted by Wigan Council in 2024.

Within the plan, the land is allocated for the development of 500 homes and up to 45,500sqm of employment space, proposals that would support the

development of part of a new link road to Junction 5 of the M61.

The developer said the masterplan also includes the creation of a new country park with wildlife habitat enhancements on an area of land between Atherton and Westhoughton, which will remain within the green belt.

A Peel Land spokesman, said: “We’ve already had more than 500 representations via the different communication channels, and would like to thank those who have engaged with the consultation process so far.

“We have been asked if the consultation period can be extended and are keen to capture as many views as possible on our proposals, so we have therefore decided to extend the consultation period by a further fortnight to four weeks.”

Following the masterplan consultation, feedback will be reviewed and the masterplan will be finalised taking account of issues raised and then submitted to the council for approval.

Once approved, it will then be a material consideration in future planning applications, which will also be subject to further public consultation on the details.

More information can be found at https://gibfieldpark.consultationonline.co.uk/.

Residents will find a link to register for the webinar on the website.