Certificate of lawful development granted for drainage works

The application, made by Taylor Wimpey UK Limited, seeks confirmation that drainage works along the highway alignment south from Plank Lane, the excavation of ground, the laying of a sub-base, and the installation of kerbing were completed in compliance with conditions linked to earlier outline and reserved matters planning permissions.

The site, part of the proposed Waters Edge development in Leigh, is identified in planning records as relating to planning permission references A/16/82492/OUTMES and A/24/97242/VARMAJ.

Supporting documents submitted as part of the application include a location plan, a layout plan, an as-built survey, and a covering letter with photographs dated February 3, 2026.

The documents indicate works were completed by January 19, 2026, ahead of the February 15, 2026, deadline.

The documentation supplied demonstrates that all relevant pre-commencement planning conditions had been discharged before the works began.

The nature of the works undertaken includes installing drainage infrastructure along the highway alignment shown on the approved drawings to a new surface water manhole, as well as ground excavation, laying of the sub-base, and installation of kerbing.

The supporting information points out that these actions amount to a material operation as defined by planning law, meaning they are capable of starting the development legally before the permission expires.

Council officers assessed the submission, noting that it included “photographic evidence of the works in situ” and that the completed works meet the definitions in planning legislation for having started a development.

The council documents state: "The applicant has provided adequate evidence to demonstrate that the works that have been undertaken on the site constitute a material operation for the purposes of Section 56 (4) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and lawful implementation of planning permission reference A/16/82492/OUTMES and associated reserved matters approval reference A/24/97242/VARMAJ."

The Local Planning Authority concluded that the applicant had met the requirements to establish the lawful commencement of the approved development.

As a result, a lawful development certificate was granted for the works described.

The certificate is limited to the extent of the works and the land identified within the supporting plans.

No public representations were needed for the application.

The decision by Wigan Council means that the development, as it relates to planning references A/16/82492/OUTMES and A/24/97242/VARMAJ, is now lawfully commenced and protected from enforcement action.