Barn Lane, Golborne

Welcome

Welcome to Applethwaite’s consultation on the draft proposals for residential development for Land at Barn Lane, Golborne.

Feedback from the local community, and key stakeholders, is important to us. All comments will be carefully considered as we develop and shape our proposals.

All feedback received as part of this consultation will be fully considered and will shape Applethwaite’s proposals that will be submitted as part of an upcoming Full Planning Application to be submitted to Wigan Council for residential development at the site with access of Barn Lane.

Your views are important to us and we would be grateful if you could take the time to review the information on this webpage and let us know your thoughts.

Kindly note that this initial consultation exercise by Applethwaite directly, is in addition to the Statutory Consultation that the Council will undertake following the submission of a formal planning application.

Site Context ⭢

  • The site extends to 3.2 hectares and is within the settlement boundary of Golborne and Lowton.

  • The site comprises an open other neutral grassland field. Mixed scrub and bramble scrub are present in the north and south of the site. Millington Brook runs along the site’s western boundary and through the south of the site. Vegetated gardens were present in the southwest of the site.

  • The site is surrounded by residential development in the north, south and west, with Golborne Primary School to the east.

  • Parts of the southern boundary comprises land in use as private garden space.

  • Due to the site’s location within the settlement boundary of Golborne, and lack of any specific policy designations on the Council’ adopted proposals map, the site can be considered white land (as confirmed within the Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment) and is a prime, and sustainable location for residential development.

Proposed Development

Applethwaite is proposing a residential-led development which will assist the Council in meeting its need to deliver sufficient homes to meet the identified demand.

The current proposals are shown on the Framework Plan and:

  • Include up to 44 dwellings to the west of Barn Lane and the north of Millingford Brook, which is classified by the Council as ‘white land’ within the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment;

  • Will see the formation of new vehicular and pedestrian access off Barn Lane;

  • Will provide a number of additional footpaths and cycle links connecting the site into the existing public right of way (‘ProW’) to the east of the site;

  • Are laid out in a way that has been heavily influenced by the existing natural topography of the site;

  • Are for housing will reflect the local character of the surrounding development;

  • Will create large areas of Public Open Space to the south and west of proposed dwellings, along with community seating areas;

  • Will delivery affordable housing;

  • Will feature an attenuation basin as part of a sustainable drainage strategy to contain rainfall, with water released from the site at a controlled rate, ensuring no increased risk of flooding in the locality;

  • Include the additional planting of trees and hedgerow to the west and south of the site to form a landscaped buffer to screen the site from the countryside to the west, and vice-versa;

  • Will lead to a net increase in Biodiversity of at least 10% when compared with the current ecological value of the site.

Technical Considerations ⭢

Applethwaite has instructed a full, professional team of qualified experts to carry out supporting technical studies and assessments and feed into the proposals.  A lot of this work has already been undertaken and has informed pre-application discussions with the LPA and the current proposals being consulted on.  A short summary of key considerations in this context is provided below.  All other necessary technical work to support a planning application has been instructed and is underway. 

Summary of technical considerations

Layout & Density
The topography of the site largely dictates the layout and density. A detailed opportunities and constraints mapping exercise has been undertaken including assessing things such as flood risk, trees, and other technical considerations.  Altogether, as a result of this work, the proposals include a relatively reduced density of residential development at the site.

Access & Highways
Eddisons (Highways Consultant) has assessed the local highways and designed an appropriate new site access off Barn Lane with a 5-metre-wide carriageway. The proposals will also provide improved legibility and connectivity to existing PRoWs.

Design & Appearance
The housing proposals will extend the general character of the residential area to the north of the site.

Flood Risk & Drainage
Betts Hydro (Flood Risk Consultant) has been instructed to carry out a detailed drainage and flood risk assessment to ensure that the proposed development will be safe from flooding and will not increase flood risk to areas outside the site. Sustainable drainage systems and other drainage features will be provided as a part of a sustainable drainage strategy.

Ecology, Trees & Biodiversity
Significant Public Open Space will be delivered as part of the scheme. Retention of brook to the south of the Site and introduction of sustainable drainage systems. There will be no impact on protected species or habitats as a result of the proposed development.

How to Respond

Please provide your comments by 18th July 2025.

To provide your feedback on the proposals, you are welcome to complete the consultation questionnaire below or you can submit comments via:

Completing
The online feedback form

You can also write to us at: Barn Lane, Asteer Planning, 55 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HQ

Next Steps

Thank you for your time in participating in this community consultation. Your feedback is important to Applethwaite and all comments received will be taken into consideration.

As part of the Planning Application, a Statement of Community Involvement will be prepared, which will detail the feedback received and how it has been considered.

Applethwaite is aiming to submit a planning application to Wigan Council in the coming months.

Once the application is registered by Wigan Council, there will be further opportunity to comment on the final proposals through the Council’s own formal consultation process.