Peel Land consults on changes to the Gibfield Park Masterplan
From 21 July, Peel Land is launching a six-week consultation, inviting the Atherton community to have their say on the future vision of Gibfield Park after revising its masterplan for the area following feedback from the initial consultation with locals earlier this year.
Peel Land has reflected on community feedback and in response, reshaped a number of elements of the masterplan including a reduction in space designated for warehouses, removing development from an area close to existing housing, introducing more green spaces and controls on the height and location of future development.
The amended proposals now include an additional five-acre Green Corridor - the equivalent of three football pitches in size – to be located adjacent to properties on Wigan Road and Schofield Lane, providing more trees and ecological improvements. This new Green Corridor is in addition to the 72-acre Country Park already proposed.
As part of the forthcoming community consultation, Peel Land is also seeking views on proposals for the first phase ‘Gibfield Meadows’ which would deliver 170 new homes, of which 25% would be affordable, in the south-eastern part of the Masterplan. It will include a public play park and early delivery of the new Green Corridor for the community to enjoy, alongside contributions to meet the health needs and school places arising from the new residents.
The dual consultation means locals get the opportunity to share their thoughts on both the long-term vision for Gibfield Park as well as the first residential phase, ahead of the outline planning application being submitted to Wigan Council.
The vision for Gibfield Park sits within Greater Manchester Places for Everyone Plan which, over the next 10 years, has the potential to deliver a thriving new neighbourhood totalling 550 homes - of which a quarter would be affordable, create around 500 new jobs as well as deliver improved road connections including the extension of Gibfield Park Way.
An artist impression of the site at Gibfield
A spokesperson for Peel Land said: “We would like to thank the local community for engaging in our consultation on the masterplan for Gibfield Park earlier this year. We've listened to the valuable feedback we received and made several important changes in response including; reduced
warehouse space, set clearer limits on where development can take place and the height of future buildings. In addition to this, the introduction of a Green Corridor will provide a large, green space which would sit between existing homes and future development.”
“We have also worked up our plans for the first phase of 'Gibfield Meadows’ and look forward to receiving feedback on that. We know people care deeply about the future of Gibfield Park and this dual consultation is an opportunity to show how proposals have evolved and enable the community to continue to shape the overall plans and the first phase of delivery. We encourage everyone with an interest to review the updated proposals and share their views.”
Following this consultation, all feedback will be carefully reviewed and considered as Peel Land continues to refine the updated masterplan and prepares the outline planning application for Phase 1 at Gibfield Meadows. Future phases of development would be subject to separate planning applications and further opportunities for public consultation.
You can find out more on the project website: www.gibfieldpark.co.uk