House value crashes by £170,000

David Gerrard's five-bedroom home in Wigan dropped from £500,000 to just £380,000 after four 60ft warehouses were built next door.

“When we got our valuation, we were totally gobsmacked.”

Estate agent says unsellable

The agent told Gerrard the house would be worth £550,000 without the warehouses. He warned they probably wouldn't be able to sell it at all.

“He said, being honest, that we probably wouldn't be able to sell it because of the warehouses.”

Four massive industrial units

The 350,000 sq ft Astley Business Park includes warehouses reaching 18.3 metres high, just metres from homes. Neighbours compare them to cruise liners.

Bought as dream retirement plan

Gerrard paid £360,000 for the newly built property in 2019. He'd worked seven days a week since age 16 and planned the house as his pension.

“The house would have been my pension. I got the money to buy it through grafting for seven days a week since I was 16.”

Never imagined this scale

Though the land was earmarked for employment use, Gerrard never expected anything as massive as the four warehouses that eventually appeared.

Other homes not selling either

Houses on the estate once sold rapidly due to a sought-after school. Now several have been listed and taken down again because they won't sell.

“Previously, they'd go like hot cakes because we have a sought-after school here.”

Round the clock HGV noise

Logistics firm Whistl operates from one unit with HGVs arriving day and night. Residents report banging, engine noise and persistent humming disturbing sleep.

From dream to nightmare

Gerrard says he hates living there now. Inside the house is lovely, but then you hear the noise from the HGVs.

“We've gone from having our dream house to not wanting to be here at all.”

Whistl acknowledges impact

The company admitted noise has affected nearby residents. They agreed to stop transport movements between midnight and 6am from September 7.

Gardens flooding for first time

Residents reported their gardens flooding for the first time since the warehouses were built, adding to their list of complaints.

Blue lights flash into bedrooms

Homeowners complain of bright blue security lights flashing into bedroom windows and automated warnings booming from the site.

Planning was technically legal

An independent audit found planning permission was granted according to legislation and procedures. But it revealed a major flaw.

No chance to engage

The audit concluded residents had been given no meaningful opportunity to engage before the planning application was submitted.

Mayor visits angry residents

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig walked the estate perimeter on August 28 and met with residents about their concerns.

Something doesn't sit right

Craig said seeing something so large built so close to homes didn't sit right with her. She heard first-hand about noise, flooding and other issues.

Neighbours lost £60k to £80k

Gerrard had heard other neighbours discussing property value drops of £60,000 or £80,000. He wasn't prepared for his own £170,000 loss.