The King has now pitched in with words of support for residents
Residents battling the development of ‘cruise liner’ warehouses in Tyldesley and Astley now claim the ongoing work on the site has caused flooding of a pathway to a primary school and to gardens of neighbouring homes.
The Astley Business Park Residents group has filmed parents wading through water to get to Garrett Hall Primary School, next to where four warehouses 60ft high reach towards the sky. Water has also inundated the back garden of three homes on Tanhouse Avenue.
The flooded pathway to Garrett Hall Primary School
And in a new twist, the King has ackowledged the protesters’ request for support in a letter. It says: “His Majesty has worked for over 50 years to protect and restore nature through many practical projects and is always interested to hear from others who share his passion.”
However, the letter says the King ‘acts on the advice of his ministers’.
Resident Ian Southwell, 60, has spent thousands of pounds on lighting, garden furniture and a hot tub in his rear garden, but said it has all been ruined by water flowing off mounds earth surrounding the warehousing development.
“I’ve lived here 18 years,” he said. “I’ve never been flooded before. I’m worried it might come into the house. This is awful. It’s going to cost me thousands to put this right.”
After posting the video on Facebook other residents posted comments registering their ‘disgust’ at the situation.
Meanwhile, Wigan council says that following a meeting with the developer on the site, a drainage channel would be dug along the length of the path and the garden boundaries.
A spokesperson said: “The work will take place immediately, as soon as weather permits this week. We are confident this measure will address the issue. However, the situation will be kept under regular monitoring by council officers and the developer.”
Tyldesley and Mosley Common ward councillor James Fish said he would be repeating a request for a ‘stop notice’ to halt work on the controversial development, which was granted planning permission in June 2024.
John Peters, one of the residents’ group leaders, said: “This is absolutely appalling. This underlines everything we’ve been saying about this development. It should be stopped immediately.”
Plans submitted by logistics company PLP for what will be known as Astley Business Park were approved by Wigan’s planning committee in June 2024.
While Peel Group retains a minority investment in PLP, it operates as a stand-alone entity. Peel Waters sold the land to PLP and has no involvement in the planning application or the current proposals for the site.
PLP have declined to comment.
