Campaign launched to save the recreation ground and stop the new access road plans to the housing complex

Protesters who want to block plans to build a road through a recreation ground to feed a 450 development in Ashton-in-Makerfield will meet on Saturday (June 1). They will gather in the Bryn Rec car park at 10.30am to register their opposition to the road which is part of the final phase of the Richard Homes development on land east of Landgate in Bryn.

Richard Homes is running a public consultation on plans for the remaining 254 homes of the development, which first received planning permission from Wigan council 10 years ago. A new planning application is anticipated following public consultation, but independent councilor Stephen Jones, who represents the Bryn district with Ashton-in-Makerfield North, said there was already opposition to the new road.

“We’ve accepted that we can’t stop housing development,” he said. “But we are against building a road through Bryn Rec and building a car park, which is public property, bequeathed by Lord Gerard with a covenant that the field must always be used as recreation ground for the people of Bryn and Ashton.”

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“The field is used for sports and working dogs. The idea that this covenant put in place long before Wigan council existed can be set aside angers councilors and residents here in Bryn.” He continued: “We understand that while we wish planning permission had not been granted and cannot stop the houses being built, the whole community will be campaigning to save the rec, starting with a public meeting this Saturday at 10.30am.

“Bryn has fought this before and will do it again. Regardless of future planning permission, the rec is public property and the council should agree to sell the land against the wishes of the people of Bryn.” Richard Estates is owned by the Baldwin family, who own the 29-acre site, which is currently farmland to the south of Landgate Lane and north of Bryn Road.

Planning consultant Pegasus and highways consultant Eddisons are working on the plan with Richard Homes. The consultation website says: “The proposals represent an opportunity to provide much-needed new housing to support Wigan’s diverse and growing population in a highly sustainable location on land which is designated in a ‘Location wide” for new development.”

It continues: “Richard Estates will seek planning permission to provide a high quality residential development on the site of up to 254 homes, a new vehicular access from Bryn Road, upgrading the existing sports pitches at Bryn Recreation Ground, provision of to a new changing room and associated works including landscaping, public open space and a children’s play area.”

They say a mix of up to 254 new homes will suit both first-time buyers and families. “Significant improvement works are required to the existing playing fields at Bryn Recreation Ground,” they say. “The grounds are currently in poor condition and prone to water logging.

“Vehicular access will be taken from Bryn Road to the south of the site via a new access road to the west of the Bryn Recreational Ground. The development aims to deliver a substantial part of the new link road from Bryn Road to Wigan Road, which (once completed) will help alleviate existing traffic at the Bryn junction.”