PLANS to build 71 family homes at a former lorry depot located near a ‘nightmare’ junction have been given the green light.

The new homes off Bankfield Road and Mosley Common Road in Tyldesley will be the second phase of the Elements, a development by Bellway Homes.

A total of 154 homes are already under construction as part of the first phase.

This latest phase of development will feature two, three and four-bedroom homes, offering a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties.

Last occupied by Ryder Ltd as an HGV storage and vehicle maintenance yard, the site was vacated in September 2020 as it was ‘surplus to requirements’.

Wigan council earmarked the site as ’employment land’ 15 years ago, but planning officers say there is little demand for such a use in this location.

The developer has agreed to contribute more than £115,000 towards highway improvements at the Mosley Common Road and East Lancs Road junction.

This is in addition to the previously agreed £1.5m which will fund work at the ‘nightmare’ junction including a left turn filter and two new crossing points.

Principal planning officer Dave Rawsthorne told councillors at a committee meeting on Tuesday (June 15) that the junction is already ‘overcapacity’.

But Wigan council traffic engineer Kenny Strode said that the increase in traffic caused by this latest phase of development will be less than 1 pc.

He said a design for the junction has been submitted to Transport for Greater Manchester and a response should be received within the next seven days.

Wigan council anticipates improvement work at the junction to start next year.

Planning chair Stephen Hellier, who represents Tyldesley as a councillor, welcomed the work proposed at the Mosley Common Road junction.

Leigh Journal:

He said: “I’m sure anyone who knows this junction knows getting out there in the am peak is a nightmare. A left turn filter will really help.”

Bellway Homes also agreed to contribute almost £270,000 towards primary and secondary school places, and more than £122,000 for public open space and play facilities, all of which would be given to the local authority to spend.

Of the 14 affordable homes in this new development, two thirds would be offered as part of a shared ownership scheme with the rest available for rent.

Winstanley councillor Paul Kenny was the first committee member to back the application, saying he supports the development of previously-developed land.

Atherton councillor Stuart Gerrard threw his support behind the plan to build on brownfield land, but said the design of the development lacks character.

He said: “I’m all for houses being built on brownfield land. I think the proposal is good.

“But I do think going forward, they need to be a bit more characteristic.

“My daughter could have drawn that diagram when she was four years old.”

Bellway Homes expects to put the new properties on the market by next year.

Representing the housebuilder at the committee meeting, town planner Matthew Shipman said the neighbouring development is ‘increasingly sought after’ with 50 homes already sold to local families and first-time buyers.