Homeowner's Property Value Plummets by £170,000 Amid Warehouse Construction

David Gerrard, a 47-year-old builder, has expressed shock after his five-bedroom home, which he purchased in 2019 for £360,000, is now valued at £380,000, a £170,000 drop from its pre-development worth of approximately £500,000. Estate agents have indicated that the property may be difficult to sell due to the proximity of four 60ft-high warehouses at the Astley Business Park development in Tyldesley, Greater Manchester.

The development comprises four industrial units totaling 350,000 square feet, with structures reaching up to 18.3 meters in height. Residents have likened the grey buildings to large cruise liners. Gerrard stated that if the warehouses were not present, his home could have been valued at £550,000, but current market assessments suggest a sale price of only around £380,000 to £395,000.

Gerrard, who invested heavily in the property with the expectation of it serving as his retirement fund, noted that other homes in the area have also experienced valuation drops, with some owners struggling to sell their properties. Previously, homes in the area sold quickly due to proximity to a sought-after school.

Logistics firm Whistl began operations at one of the warehouses in July, leading to resident complaints about noise from HGVs at all hours. Whistl has acknowledged the noise impact and agreed to halt transport movements between midnight and 6 a.m. while exploring noise-reduction measures. Residents have also reported issues with flooding, bright security lights, and automated site warnings.

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig visited the site on August 28 and met with residents, stating that the scale of the development so close to homes "didn't sit right" with her. An independent audit commissioned by Wigan Council found that while planning permission was granted legally, residents were not given a meaningful opportunity to engage with the application process beforehand.