Question Reference Number 864690
Local authorities in the UK have a statutory duty to provide sufficient allotments under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908. Specifically:
• Duty to Provide Allotments
• Sufficient Provision: The council must assess local demand and ensure there is adequate provision. This includes maintaining waiting lists and monitoring trends in demand. How is Wigan Council upholding their Duty to:
A) Assess demand - including the monitoring of waiting lists and consulting with residents/community groups to understand their needs.
B) Allocating Land - Will you be working with developers / those building the influx of new houses to secure land for new allotments and to safeguard green space?
Response from the Councillor Chris Ready, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Neighbourhoods
Thank you for your recent query, please find outlined below a response in realtion to the points that you raised:-
A) Demand is assessed through the allotment waiting list. In the last 11 months, the Council have reviewed the waiting list at 15 allotment sites, and this has reduced the waiting list by 851.This review will now continue for the remainder of the allotment sites. The Council’s Community Asset Transfer allows community groups / residents to take control of Council assets – including allotments, this alternative and innovative approach often leads to an increase in capacity at allotments sites that are leased out.
B) When applicable, the Council works with developers to secure land for allotments and to secure funding to improve existing allotments.
Question Reference Number 864691
Given that it will take until 2028 for remedial flood prevention work to be assessed and carried out for the Hey Brook catchment area, (if funds are available) - how is it possible for planning permission to be granted in the interim period for new builds directly effecting this catchment?
Response from the Councillor Paul Prescott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Transport and Environmental Services
All development proposals made through planning applications are assessed by the Council as Local Planning Authority, having regard to the development plan and all other material considerations, including extensive local and national policies, and input from internal and external stakeholders on the process and consultees, such as, in relation to flooding and drainage arrangements, the Lead Local Flood Authority, United Utilities and the Environment Agency. Planning applications are dealt with on their own individual merits in this context, having regard to this process and all material considerations. Only after a full assessment has been made in this context will planning permissions be approved.
Question Reference Number 864692
I am writing as a concerned business owner and resident of Atherton to address a critical issue affecting our community - the urgent need for investment in our town’s infrastructure and street scene.
While I acknowledge and appreciate the efforts to revitalise surrounding areas, I have observed a significant investment disparity that affects Atherton. Notably, Leigh has received considerable financial support, including a recent allocation of £30 million aimed at enhancing its nighttime economy. This level of support has not led to the anticipated improvements, yet similar or even basic infrastructural investments remain elusive for Atherton. Atherton has demonstrated a resilient and growing nighttime economy, primarily driven by the hard work and initiative of local bars, pubs, and restaurants. These businesses have revitalised our high street without substantial financial aid.
This grassroots growth is now at risk due to a lack of investment in maintaining and enhancing our public spaces and amenities. Given these circumstances, I urge you to consider how investment can be ringfenced specifically for Atherton. It is vital to support our town’s continued growth and to prevent it from falling behind others that receive disproportionate financial aid.
Equal opportunity for funding is not just a matter of fairness but also essential for fostering a balanced development across all towns under your jurisdiction. Our community deserves the chance to thrive, just as others have been given. Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue. I look forward to your response and am hopeful for a commitment to make equitable investments in Atherton’s future.
Response from the Councillor Paul Prescott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Transport and Environmental Services
Thank you for your commitment to Atherton town centre and that of your fellow business owners and staff. It is primarily what businesses are doing that make people want to spend their time and money in town centres.
That said, the Council is ambitious for all of our town centres including Atherton town centre. Our new Local Plan that we will be consulting on shortly, has policies for each of our town centres setting out those ambitions. Getting feedback on the policy content is the purpose of the consultation.
The streetscene in Atherton received considerable investment nearly 20 years ago now, and it has stood the test of time. What happens next, in the context of the Local Plan policy, is down to partnership and opportunity.
One opportunity is the considerable investment in new housing in Atherton, both that is underway and is proposed. New housing is undoubtedly helping to provide customers for businesses in the town centre, and that will continue. It is important that people – existing residents and new residents - can meet their day-to-day needs locally, and if they can have good evenings out locally too, so much the better.
Your community does deserve the chance to thrive, and the Council and partners want to use all of the levers at our disposal to help achieve that, in line with our new Progress with Unity missions.
I hope that helps and please look out for the consultation on the Local Plan due to commence on 30th April 2025.
At a more operational level, the Council’s team have undertaken litter picks around the Mealhouse Lane car park in response to complaints from the community. We have also responded to reports of fly tipping on another car park opposite Mealhouse Court, and have visited and engaged with businesses on Market Street .
As a Council, through our events team, we support several town centre events throughout the year, these include the Makers market and Christmas market, the walking nativity in the town centre, Proms in the Park, and Atherton Carnival. I understand that local community groups and businesses are heavily involved in supporting these events.
With regards to Highway Maintenance, I can confirm that the Highways team carry out a monthly walked highway safety inspection of Atherton town centre and in the last 3 years we have undertaken over 300 repairs consisting of a wide range of highways works. These include pothole repairs, flagging and kerbing re-lays, traffic sign replacement/repairs, road marking and street lighting upgrades to a name a few. We have also invested over £30K in the drainage infrastructure within the town centre which saw the old drainage dish channels on Market Street replaced with ACO drains as part of a highway improvement scheme completed in 2022. In addition to this there has been a number of planned resurfacing schemes undertaken in an around Atherton town centre over the last 12-18 months which include:
Carriageway Works:-
- A579 Bolton Road (Mealhouse Lane to House Number 38)
- A577 Wigan Road (Talbot Road Roundabout including Gadbury Fold Junction)
- Spa Road (Everest Road to Hatton Avenue)
- Springfield Road (Upton Road to Hillside Avenue)
- Water Street (Full Length)
- Alder Street (High Street to Chapel Street)
Footway Works:-
- A577 Wigan Road
- Allenby Street
- Elizabeth Street including York Street to Water Street
- Cannon Street
- Spa Road (Outside Atherton Train Station)
- Mayfield Street (Hamilton Street to Market Street)
Question Reference Number 864693
I am writing to you not only as a resident of Atherton but also as the owner of two businesses located on Market Street.
Over the time that Market Street has been pedestrianised, I have observed a noticeable decline in both foot traffic and trade, which has severely impacted local businesses including my own. While I understand and respect the initial reasoning behind making Market Street pedestrian only - namely, to increase footfall and trade - this outcome has unfortunately not materialized as anticipated for our community. Contrary to general findings, the pedestrianisation has led to a decline in the number of shops still operating, evidencing a significant reduction in business activity.
Given these observations, I propose a trial period for reopening Market Street to vehicular traffic. This trial would serve as a practical assessment to gather empirical evidence on whether allowing vehicles could positively impact trade and local business sustainability. A detailed plan for managing traffic and assessing outcomes during the trial period can be collaboratively developed to ensure all concerns, including safety and environmental impacts, are adequately addressed.
I believe that by initiating a structured trial, we can evaluate the real-world effects of reintroducing traffic in a controlled and reversible manner, ensuring that our approach is both data-driven and aligned with the best interests of Atherton’s residents and business community.
Furthermore, I suggest conducting public surveys or consultations before and after the trial period to capture community feedback and preferences, which should play a crucial role in any future decisions. I am eager to discuss this proposal further and am open to participating in meetings or dialogues to explore this matter in greater depth.
Your consideration of this trial, which seeks a compromise that could potentially revitalise Market Street, is sincerely appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this significant matter. I look forward to your response and am hopeful for a positive consideration.
Response from the Councillor Paul Prescott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Transport and Environmental Services
Thank you for your enquiry requesting that Market Street in Atherton is reopened to traffic for a trial period, but I am afraid we have no plans to reopen Market Street to traffic for a trial period.
There is a wealth of research that evidences the benefits of pedestrianisation in town centres, in particular road safety. It can bring about a series of positive economic, environmental and social impacts including: improvements in air quality and consequentially people’s health; increased footfall and spend; improved social inclusion as people feel more welcome, comfortable and safer in the public realm and in particular those with mobility issues, families with young children in prams etc.
We are absolutely committed to supporting our local businesses, and the Council's Business Engagement team has undertaken leaflet drops previously in Atherton to generate interest and engagement with the team and to help support businesses with growth opportunities. This has resulted in a small number of businesses in Atherton engaging with the team.The team also engage with Atherton Business Partnership and attend the FAB Networking group which is organised and co-ordinated by a local business, and some businesses have signed up to the Believe in Business Charter.
We are fully committed to supporting businesses to ensure that all of our towns thrive, and colleagues in Planning and Transport Strategy are developing the Local Plan to further support businesses in Atherton.