Residents blame warehouses for 'atrocious' flooding

Residents living in the shadow of four huge warehouses have said work on the units has caused "atrocious" flooding, with one person resorting to travelling by canoe.

Heavy rain on the Henfold Estate in Tyldesley, Wigan, Greater Manchester, has left some of the gardens, and a footpath to a nearby primary school, underwater.

John Peters, part of a group set up to oppose the 60ft structures built by logistics firm PLP as part of the Astley Business Park development, said residents were "absolutely sick of the impact" of the project.

Wigan Council, which gave planning permission for the units last year, said officers were "actively monitoring the site." PLP has been contacted for comment.

John Peters from the Astley Warehouse Action Group, formed by residents affected by the construction, said children are having to "wade through puddles" to get to Garrett Hall Primary School.

"You wouldn't think it could get any worse but this development just keeps giving and giving," he said.

"There was never really a plan put in place to cope with the water. This is the first real downpour we've had and the place is flooded.

"Residents are absolutely sick of the impact that this thing is having on our homes, our livelihood and our mental health.

"We've got a childminder who takes eight, nine, 10 kids to school wading through the puddles."

Some residents told the BBC the situation for children trying to get to school was "dreadful", while others described the flooding as "absolutely atrocious".

Paula Boardman said she woke up to a large pool of water in her back garden and was advised to get flood bags by the council.

"We've never had any flooding at all in the garden, it's progressively getting worse and now coming up on the decking which is causing concern because that goes into the house," she said

"We're coming up to Christmas dinner and I'm just thinking now, is it going to start flooding the kitchen."

Wigan Council said a drainage channel has been dug along the length of the path and the garden boundaries to help alleviate flooding issues.

However James Fish, independent councillor for Tyldesley and Mosley Common said the trench "isn't going to hold bath water" and has called for an immediate halt to building work.

"I objected to the development from the outset for a number of reasons, one of the reasons being the drainage," he said.

"The developers haven't put enough in to mitigate the drainage and the council has been too soft. A two-meter trench isn't going to hold bath water, never mind a massive amount of water like this.

"Last night I wrote to the council to say you need to issue an immediate stop notice. There's been requests in the past that have been refused but this meets the criteria that they cannot refuse.

"All these issues that are arising now should have been sorted back in 2024 when this planning application was accepted."

The council said further assessments have taken place and it remains in close contact with the developer and site operator.

"We have made it clear to the developer that a fuller investigation will be needed should the measures not have the desired effect," the council said.

"Any residents who have concerns or are experiencing issues with flooding are encouraged to contact the council directly."

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