I READ with interest your article on the new Redrow homes that will be coming to the land near Garrett Hall school and Mosley Common.

I do fully understand the concerns regarding traffic congestion as I have lived in Astley for 27 years and have seen my daily commute time increase over the years, but the answer is not to simply stop building much-needed homes.

I have recently sold my house in Astley and am having great difficulty finding another suitable property in the same area due to the low numbers of houses being built.

It is unrealistic to have a net migration figure into this country of 330,000 per year and not understand that these individuals have to live somewhere.

We are not immune to the needs of a growing population. 

The article also mentions the lack of facilities, including the baths and libraries, and I agree that more facilities should be kept and improved. But why is this the responsibility of a private building company?

When these houses are built each one will mean a sum of money is paid to Wigan Council.

Add to this the council tax paid by each household and the increase in business for retailers and the council coffers will be a lot healthier.

It’s down to the council how this money is spent.

Redrow, like any other commercial business, is not a charity. Its primary purpose is to build houses to sell. 

I fully support these new homes and only wish that the residents of not just our area but other boroughs get to grips with the link between an ever increasing population and the need for more house building, with the associated negatives that will come with this.

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