Residents near the Whistl distribution center at Astley Business Park have raised ongoing concerns about noise pollution stemming from the facility’s night-time operations. A group representing local residents met with representatives from Whistl and Wigan Council on August 26 to discuss possible solutions to the issue.
John Peters, 72, a long-time resident of the nearby estate and a campaign group leader, described the noise as more disruptive than initially anticipated. He emphasized that the continuous activity from a national logistics company operating so close to residential homes, particularly during the early morning hours, has severely affected the quality of life for those living on the estate’s border. Peters said the 24-hour noise, including sounds from loading and dispatch activities, is especially challenging between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
“We didn’t realize the volume and impact until we experienced it,” Peters said. He noted that while his home mainly suffers from a loss of the local view due to the development, many others face significant noise disturbances. Additionally, two more warehouses on the site remain vacant but poised to be occupied by other companies, potentially exacerbating the situation.
An independent noise assessment conducted by Murray Acoustics over four consecutive nights detected a substantial increase in noise levels at the closest residence to the warehouse yard. Measurements showed that, when accounting for the nature of the sound, noise from Whistl’s operations exceeded the night-time background level by 18 to 26 decibels. According to the British Standard for industrial and commercial noise, an increase of around 10 decibels above background levels is generally considered to have a significant adverse impact.
The action group has urged Wigan Council’s environmental health department to compel Whistl to cease night-time operations until the noise issues are satisfactorily resolved. Critics of current mitigation efforts, including local resident Mr. Retford, described a 16-foot acoustic fence installed to reduce sound as ineffective. According to Retford, the fence has failed to achieve its intended purpose, leaving residents struggling to cope with the persistent noise.
In response, a Whistl spokesperson said the company presented a proposal aimed at addressing night-time noise concerns during the recent meeting and that the plan is under review by residents. Whistl added it is committed to working collaboratively with Wigan Council, site owner PLP, and the local community to find a long-term resolution. Meanwhile, the company stated it continues to monitor and mitigate noise daily and adjust its operations proactively as issues are raised.
Wigan Council expressed support for Whistl’s engagement with residents and pledged to continue assessing the effectiveness of implemented measures. A council spokesperson said the authority would explore additional options if current steps do not sufficiently reduce the noise impact, reaffirming its commitment to addressing community concerns through ongoing dialogue with the action group.