A HUGE development scheme for Atherton where industry and housing would complement new parkland has got off to a flying start.

The government has given council planning chiefs permission to decide at local level on plans which will bring hundreds of jobs and homes to Atherton and remove industrial scars.

The decision means Black Country Properties' massive Gibfield Park scheme can progress, creating hundreds of new jobs and restoring land blighted for many years.

The restoration of three large industrial eyesores: the bankrupt former Bag Lane Opencast site, the old Gibfield Tip and the one-time Gadbury Brickworks will be transformed.

Plans include new housing at Gadbury Fold and a new industrial area, with its own new access road, to the west of Bag Lane. Additional areas will be restored to parkland, woods and green uses.

Last year the scheme was the subject of extensive public consultation before being unanimously backed by members of Wigan Council's development control committee.

But because of its size, the scheme had to be referred to the Government.

Black Country Properties, the firm leading the project, want to make an early start on the reclamation work. They say they are 'very optimistic' that a big employer will soon develop a new plant on the site and give the employment area a flying start.

Atherton councillor Susan Loudon, a member of the Council's development control committee, is thrilled that the scheme is going ahead.

She said: "Atherton has needed new investment and jobs for many years now. This scheme does just that and what's more, in the process, it gets rid of our major local eyesores especially the huge problem of the opencast site.

"This will all be a big boost for the area and should bring back local confidence to help reinforce all the good work being done under the SRB project."

The scheme involves: the final restoration of Bag Lane Opencast coal site; the reclamation of Gadbury Fold brickworks; the restoration of Gibfield Tip; six kilometre of new and upgraded public rights of way; existing wildlife areas protected and enhanced; 65 hectares of new woodland and open grassland; 20 hectares of new an improved agricultural land; 820m of new open water courses; 25 new or improved ponds; excellent transportation links and public access; the protection and enhancement of Collier's Clough.