Councillor resigns from Wigan Council planning committee amid warehouse development row
James Fish steps down citing “loss of integrity” after 18-metre warehouse plans approved
A councillor has stepped down from Wigan Council’s planning committee in protest at decisions surrounding the controversial warehouse development at Astley Business Park.
James Fish, who represents the Tyldesley & Mosley Common ward, announced his resignation on Thursday 30 October, with immediate effect.
He was the only member of the planning committee to vote against the 18-metre-high (around 60-ft) warehouse scheme, which has sparked months of debate among residents.
Cllr Fish said:
“I fundamentally believe as a councillor you are elected to represent the residents who elected you and not an institution. I feel the committee has lost its integrity and professionalism and I can no longer sit on the committee.”
“Over the last two years I believe the committee has made some very questionable decisions on planning applications that go against not only local policies but also national policies.”
“In the wake of the Astley Warehousing application, we now have members of the planning committee coming out privately and admitting they made mistakes and didn’t fully understand the planning application or its contents…”
Councillor Fish added that he believes the public consultation process “no longer works” and “favours developers over communities.”
Background: the Astley Business Park development
The site, off the East Lancs Road, has been earmarked for employment use for nearly two decades. In June 2024, Wigan Council’s planning committee approved a proposal from developer PLP for four large warehouses totalling around 350,000 sq ft.
The plans include buildings up to 18 metres tall and 24-hour operational use, which residents say will dominate nearby homes and increase traffic, noise and light pollution.
The council says the site is a strategic employment location that will bring jobs and investment to the borough.
Wigan Council response
A council spokesperson said in an earlier response:
“This planning application went through our planning consultation and committee process. The final plans include landscaping which will help to screen and soften the appearance, and mitigate the impact on nearby properties. We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development – bringing new jobs and investment to the area – is delivered properly.”
Why this matters in Wigan Borough
Now, I don’t usually cover Astley here on what’s happening in Wigan (not yet, anyway 
) — but this story has borough-wide significance.
That’s because the planning decisions affecting Astley are made by Wigan Council, the same authority that oversees developments right across the borough — from Orrell and Hindley to Leigh and Wigan town centre.
So while this particular row might be unfolding in Astley, the bigger picture is about how planning decisions are made — who’s being listened to, how much say residents really have, and whether the system feels fair and transparent.
It’s also a reminder that developments of this scale can set precedents for other parts of Wigan Borough — both in terms of policy and community trust.
In short: what happens in Astley doesn’t just stay in Astley.
UPDATE: Wigan Council has now responded to my request for a statement regarding Cllr Fish’s resignation:
A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “We note Cllr Fish’s decision to resign from the Planning Committee.
“It is important to reiterate that members receive introductory and regular training and guidance to enable them to make sound decisions in line with local and national planning policy.
“They also have the opportunity during the committee meeting to ask questions and request site visits to ensure they fully understand all aspects of the development they are making a decision on. This includes matters such as the scale and potential impact of developments in local areas.
If a member doesn’t feel equipped to make these decisions, then they should raise this during the meeting where officers can provide additional clarity and information to ensure members are fully supported.”
If you’ve got a story, get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
