Villagers still fear houses could be built on green space despite council refusing to sell land

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Villagers still fear houses could be built on green space in Standish - despite Wigan Council refusing to sell their own land to developers.

Some 145 objections were received after the council announced the proposed sale of the land at Chorley Road - suggesting this section of the Whelley Loop Line walkway could play a vital part of the Standish Neighbourhood Plan agreed in 2019.

Local residents group Standish Voice, who provided the largest amount of objections, believe that there has been ‘too much housebuilding, too quickly, in Standish over the past decade’ and that this could set a precedent for other green space land being torn up for more house building.

The developer, Jones Homes, wanted to purchase the council owned land in order to build 83 homes - using it as an access point for the houses to be built behind - but objectors believe the area is already overpopulated and local infrastructure cannot keep up. READ MORE: Dramatic moment 'cowardly' teen fugitive is caught at Manchester Airport trying to flee country There were also concerns raised around the impact on mental health this would have with many using the area to walk amongst nature - something that would be lost if the development went ahead.