RESIDENTS have been praised for having their say on long-term plans for homes and employment space as we reach the half-way mark of a consultation.

Four out of five consultations have been held in the borough after a revised draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) was published in January.

The GMSF proposals aims to deliver 21,400 homes by 2037.

Plans published in the New Year outlines proposals to create 160,000 sq/m of business space south of Pennington in Leigh.

A nearby site at Pocket Nook in Lowton would also see 600 homes built there and around 15,000 sq/m of business space allocated there.

The GMSF draft also includes land west of Gibfield, Atherton for 700 homes and around 45,500 sq/m of employment space.

Land north of Mosley Common in Tyldesley for 1,200 homes requiring provision for new education and health facilities is also in the plans.

The remaining GMSF consultation takes place at Wigan Town Hall on Tuesday, February 26 from 4pm to 7pm.

The consultation was launched online on January 21 and comes to a close on Monday, March 18.

Wigan Council leader, Cllr David Molyneux, said: “We would like to thank residents who have attended the drop-in sessions so far and have taken the time to fill in the consultation.

“As we reach the half-way mark, we would like to reiterate the importance of people having their say whether they agree with the draft’s new direction or still have concerns.

By having a strategic plan, we can ensure that developments are made in the right places and in the right way.

“It is right that the revised draft took into account public concerns raised in the first consultation about allocating land on the green belt.

"This new plan sees a reduction of more than 50 per cent in the amount of green belt allocated and also protects more green land in the borough than before.

“I believe this plan strikes the right balance between protection of our best green spaces with the need for new homes, infrastructure and employment land in Wigan Borough and I encourage those who haven’t yet taken part to have their say.”

After the consultation closes the comments from it will inform a new draft to be published for consultation this summer.

It will then be submitted for independent examination before being put into practice.

To give your opinion on the GMSF plans online at gmconsult.org.

A hard copy of the plan is in libraries too.