A planning application to build a block of six apartments on a parcel of land where garages once stood looks set for approval despite objections from a local MP and nearby residents.

The land at Elizabethan Court near to Tyldesley town centre in Wigan is currently used for ‘informal parking’ where cars use the concrete garage bases.

Wigan council has applied to its own planning authority for permission for two-storey building for the flats, all of which will be one bedroom, with three on each floor.

All of the units will be affordable, a report to the planning committee says.

There will be formal landscaping ad a low railing fence to the frontage on Factory Street and the ground-floor apartments will have access to private gardens at the rear.

Some six parking spaces will be provided for the residents.

Objections to the scheme have been submitted by Leigh MP James Grundy who has raised concerns over existing parking issues in the area – particularly the loss of informal parking spaces currently on the site.

He has also cited that the development may discourage the use of the nearby Pelican Centre gym and pool facilities ‘impacting on health, visibility and highway safety’.

Another 18 objectors say the site is used for car parking by visitors to the Pelican Centre, residents and local businesses, including Enzos restaurant.

One says the site is too small to accommodate the proposed development and that there would be the loss of a grassed area currently used by dog walkers.

They also say the site is used as an evacuation point in the event of an alarm at the Pelican Centre.

However, the report says: “Whilst the concerns of local residents and businesses are noted and have been fully considered, the proposal is assessed by officers to be consistent with the [Wigan] Development Plan, as well as the relevant policy objectives of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the council’s adopted planning guidance and other material considerations.”