The latest step for an extended highway leading to a massively expanded industrial estate have been approved.
This comes after an extension to the Wingates Industrial Estate in Westhoughton, not far from the Logistics North site, was given approval more than three years ago.
Now the developers have asked to change plans for the access to the expanded estate, removing approved access points from Wimberry Hill Road in favour of a single access point off the A6 off Chorley Road.
Hamish Robertshaw, agent for the developers the Harworth Group, said: “The proposed highway designs are designed according to the latest pedestrian and highway use.”
He added: “Overall there is a significant net gain in trees and hedgerows provided.”
The original plans to expand the industrial estate by more than 1.1m sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space were approved in January 2020.
But the scheme was called in by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government called the decision in after concerns were raised about the loss of green space.
People had also expressed concerns about the effects on traffic congestion but the scheme was approved after a public consultation held in 2021.
Now the developers have sought to change their plans for the access in favour of building a new length of the A6 carriageway.
They have entered two applications, one to remove the old approved access points and another for the extension to the A6.
Mr Robertshaw said that improved access would help with job creation schemes and claimed it would help the estate become a “premier employment site.”
He also said that the developers had planned a full junction control system.
Planning committee member Cllr Andy Morgan, of Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor, said that this could be an opportunity to revisit the original application.
He said there was “significant benefit” to the cottages most affected by the scheme.
Cllr Morgan said: “This is one of the most strategic employment sites that we have coming forward.”
He added: “I think the key to this site though is going to be the placing those three sets of traffic lights.
“Because if that’s wrong then that really is going to back up to the main motorway roundabout.”
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But he said he was happy to support the application and delegate the decision to the council’s director of place.
Cllr Roger Hayes, of Smithills, said: “The overall issue has been fought and lost.
“I remain of the view that the overall traffic implication for Westhoughton is going to be dire, but OK that’s been lost.”
The committee voted unanimously to delegate the decisions to the director of place for approval.
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