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Tritax’s Wigan scheme set for approval

Tritax Symmetry’s 1.4m sq ft logistics scheme in Wigan has been recommended for approval by council officers.

Plans for Symmetry Park Wigan, which measures 134 acres, will go to committee for a decision on 14 January.

Tritax Symmetry has invested £73m in its construction. When operational, it will provide £3m in business rates repayments to Wigan Council.

The first two units would be developed speculatively. Subject to consent, works would start in 2020, with the entire scheme completed by 2027.

It is estimated that the scheme will create 1,650 high-quality jobs when operational, along with 1,200 construction jobs.

Proposals also include a “substantial” green buffer between the development and the nearest housing in Winstanley, as well as new public access points.

Andrew Dickman, director of Tritax Symmetry, said: “Symmetry Park Wigan is the ideal location to take advantage of what is potentially massive growth for the region’s logistics sector, which could deliver GVA of £20.9bn annually by 2039. 

“Subject to planning approval, we plan to start on site imminently, with high-quality warehouses as well as routes from the site to the A49, leading to the M6.”

The site sits within the green belt and has been identified by Wigan Council as suitable for logistics development in its April 2018 Employment Land Position Statement. The draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework has also identified the site for release from the green belt.

Wigan Council has said that it does not have sufficient land outside the green belt to meet its employment land needs.

The recommendation to approve follows the submission of a planning application for the site in August 2018. 

Tritax Symmetry’s application is supported by AEW Architects, CBRE, highways advice from Crofts, air quality consultant Redmore, ecology and arboriculture consultant TEP, noise and vibration consultant REC, landscape masterplanner Enzygo, and archaeology by RSK.

To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette

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