We live in the shadow of 60ft warehouses the size of cruise ships – constant traffic noise is making our lives hell

FURIOUS residents living next door to four giant warehouses say the endless lorry traffic is making their lives hell. The huge grey sheds at Astley Business Park in Wigan, Greater Manchester, lie just metres from locals’ gardens. Four huge warehouses are making locals’ lives hell Credit: SWNS The enormous units were constructed last year and are now fully operational Credit: SWNS The gigantic 60ft warehouses first made headlines last year when construction began, as locals feared their homes would be dwarfed. The units have now become fully operational, with round-the-clock traffic shattering the peaceful lives of locals. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! John Peters, 71, said: “The people who live bordering the warehouses are going through hell because of the noise. “The extent of the warehouse operations have been a real shock to the system and that’s on top of the visual problem.” John Peters says they see around four HGV vehicles every 10 minutes Credit: SWNS The complex occupies around 350,000 sq ft Credit: SWNS Locals say the relentless lorry traffic is unbearable Credit: SWNS Residents claim the warehouses have caused flooding in their gardens Credit: SWNS Drone shots show HGVs rumbling through the entrance of the 350,000 sq ft development, with rows of lorries and trailers packed around the warehouse. John, a retired teacher who has lived on the estate since 1978, said: “Whistl is a national logistics company using Astley as a base. “You can’t operate a national logistics company quietly. We see around four HGVs coming in every 10 minutes.” Locals say the noise of engines and vehicle movements has become unbearable during the night, especially for houses neighbouring the site. Most read in The Sun Locals can no longer keep their windows open because of the noise Credit: SWNS The units have been compared to ‘cruise liners’ by residents Credit: SWNS The Astley Warehouse Action Group – which is campaigning against the development – has said residents could no longer open their bedroom windows because of the din. The warehouses have been compared to “cruise liners”, blocking the daylight and overshadowing residents’ homes. Locals have also blamed the development for causing flooding in their gardens and have complained of the “dystopian” security system which blasts warnings and blue lights through their windows. Delivery company Whistl owns one of the largest units, signing a long-term lease on the 140,000 sq ft warehouse. Campaigners say the firm successfully applied to base 60 goods vehicles and 95 trailers there. And residents fear the ordeal will only get worse, with freight company Grace Overseas planning to fill one of the three remaining empty warehouses. An audit commissioned by the council found that planning permission had been granted lawfully – but found that residents had been given “no meaningful opportunity” to engage before the application was submitted. Locals are now hoping Andy Burnham – who previously discussed the units during his time as Manchester mayor – will support their appeal. John said: “The problems have been going on for a year now – but we’re not giving up.” A spokesperson for Whistl said the firm has been in “active dialogue” with residents, taking measures “to mitigate the impact of our operations” where possible. They added: “We are also monitoring and managing the noise levels through equipment we have installed on the acoustic fencing at a point closest to the houses.” A spokesperson for Grace Overseas confirmed it will operate at the unit from 8am to 5pm when it takes over, with “occasional weekend working” during peak periods. A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “We have received several noise complaints and have asked residents to keep a record and share information with us so that we can investigate.” Developer PLP has been approached for comment. Comment now