MORE than 900 jobs could be created if plans for a huge business estate near Leigh are given the go-ahead.

Landowners Peel Developments (UK) Ltd says 11,000 people live within a kilometre of its proposed Astley employment Park off Chaddock Lane, and this large, potential workforce could walk or cycle there instead of travelling further afield for work.

The site would be on grazing land stretching from Garrett Hall Primary School in Tyldesley to Kendal Road at Mosley Common, with Garrett Lane its northern boundary.

It would be alongside the current Kennedy Road industrial estate and spread across to Holy Family School fields.

The proposals do not include land to the north of Garrett Hall Lane, which was the subject of a protracted battle more than 10 years ago. Building development was thwarted after a major community campaign.

Developers believe the farmland is ideal for business use, being easily accessible on foot, bicycle or public transport, and is in an area where there has been a lot of residential growth which has not been matched by employment opportunities.

Peel owns the site, which is about quarter of a mile off the A580 East Lancs Road, and says footpaths which cross the land are not used very much. The rights of way would be retained and pedestrians and cyclists encouraged to use them.

Potential on the site is industrial, distribution and business use, with three, two and single-storey buildings and a public open space near Tanhouse Lane. A pond near Garrett Lane would be included in a four acre nature conservation area adjoining Garrett Hall School.

The developers say the site fits the Wigan Council's criteria for new employment areas accessible by pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

A Peel Developments spokesman said: "The site is close to some pockets of severe deprivation identified by the council. Substantial and varied new jobs opportunities will help tackle this problem."