A HOUSING site has been given the green light despite fears its entrance is on a "dangerous" junction.

The bid to create four homes off Park Road in Hindley was approved by the planning committee on Tuesday.

Councillors heard neighbouring residents hold concerns about the access from Atherton Road.

Objector Louise Stoddart said the location has seen two major accidents in recent weeks with the housing plot set to add to the problem.

It is "a garden and driveway being pushed to the limits", she said.

But officers told the committee the land – known as Vicarage Farm – has already been earmarked for development and is part of the council’s five-year supply of housing land.

Highways officers said they had no concerns with the access road, which will be widened.

The approved plans include the conversion of an existing outbuilding and the construction of three separate detached homes, each with rear gardens and driveways for two vehicles.

Highways officers said data provided to them from the police about accidents near to the junction were "a few months behind".

While this was explained, Ms Stoddart held up images of the recent incidents she had referred to.

“We believe that it would be safer to knock the barn down to make the entrance a proper two-way street,” she had earlier told the committee.

“This is an already dangerous junction without the additional road being added to the mix.”

Dozens of schoolchildren use the nearby pelican crossing and bus stop, she added.

Architect Michael Beech told the committee the designs had been changed since they were first submitted – including a reduction in the number of homes from five to four – and will "sit well" in relation to neighbouring properties.

Leigh Journal:

The planning site in Hindley Green. Picture: Wigan Council planning portal

The committee heard a previous outline permission for the site, granted in 2017, included the access point, which will be widened to 4.5m and was therefore deemed to be acceptable.

Cllr Susan Greensmith said there were no planning reasons why permission could not be granted.

Members approved the application by 10 votes to two, with independent Cllr Paul Maiden, who represents Hindley Green, one of those to vote against.