No decision made on major housing development after FIVE HOUR meeting
06.12.2023 - 13:21
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Only 41 out of a potential 187 new homes will be built in Wigan after the planning committee could not make a decision on major housing development tabled for Leigh.
A total of 146 homes are planned for Moss Bank Nurseries in Leigh, but the lack of affordable homes and the impact on the highways proved too much for councillors to make a decision. Motions to approve and refuse the application both ended in a tie - so the application was deferred until another planning committee further down the line.
This came after councillors approved two housing plans with zero affordable homes proposed - much to their frustrations.
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Speaking on the first application for 27 homes in Atherton, Coun Walker said: “So we’re getting £48,000 instead of six affordable houses. How many affordable homes that £48k buy? It won’t buy one.
“Instead of getting six affordable homes, we are not even getting half of one. If we allow this to continue, we will be writing off our affordable homes policy.”
This feeling was true for many committee members throughout the meeting in Wigan Town Hall as the separate applications were discussed.
Planning officers in attendance explained that the developers were providing Section 106 money in place of the lack of affordable housing. This is a requirement if affordable homes are not deemed to be financially viable for developers.
Collier Brook Farm in Atherton will have 27 homes built there and a further 14 homes in Tyldesley off Hadbutt Lane following approval in a meeting that lasted over five hours.
Only 12 from all