LIKE Leigh Journal letter writer David Clough, I also attended the drop-in session at the Turnpike Gallery hosted by the planning department of Wigan Council.

I too came away with more questions than answers.

My particular concerns are about the Pennington South site between the A580, Atherleigh Way and Leigh RUFC.

This is a known flood plain and the building of 1,000 houses on this site will only increase the flood risk due to run-off.

It was almost as though the chaos caused by Storm Desmond a year ago never happened.

When I challenged one of the council staff over this he said the Environment Agency would be consulted.

I can save him a job as the flood risk at this site is identified on the agency’s website.

The Government set up the Committee on Climate Change to advise on the effects and recommend necessary actions.

Professor Lord Krebs of the committee has said he was disappointed that the pressure to build more homes had resulted in ministers rejecting the proposals to cut the risk of flooding.

He added that ‘in 20 years’ time people will look back and say what were they thinking?’ Some householders in the area have installed pumps to remove water in times of heavy rainfall and struggle to get insurance.

And then there are all the implications for the infrastructure of the Leigh area.

These include schools, doctors, roads and congestion.

A document published by Wigan Council, which I picked up at the drop-in session, indicates that the development is aimed at high earners with jobs in Manchester and is part of the Northern Powerhouse.

So, in time, the mess will probably end up on MP Andy Burnham’s desk.

AJ Bond

Beech Drive

Leigh