Whistl to Halt Night-Time Transport at Astley Warehouse After Resident Complaints
Published on 09/01/2026 at 17:27 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Logistics firm Whistl has confirmed it will suspend night-time transport operations at its PLP Astley facility from September 7, following sustained complaints from local residents about noise disruption. The move signals a significant shift for UK employers operating 24-hour warehouse sites, as community pressure increasingly shapes operational decisions.
Night-Time Pause Brings Partial Relief
Under the revised arrangements, all transport movements at the site will stop between 00:00 and 06:00 BST. While external vehicle activity will be restricted during these hours, internal warehouse tasks are expected to continue as normal.
Local residents, who have campaigned against the noise, have accepted the company's proposal with caution. They acknowledge the night-time pause offers some relief, but anticipate increased traffic congestion during daylight hours as operations are rescheduled.
The intervention followed high-level discussions involving local campaigners and Mayor Bev Craig. Residents such as Steve Retford and John Peters previously described the 24-hour operations of the four 60-foot warehouses as a constant disruption to daily life.
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Property Values and Planning Concerns
Homeowners in Tyldesley have reported that the proximity of the logistics hub has had a detrimental effect on property values. Estimates provided by local residents suggest losses ranging from £40,000 to as much as £100,000 for some properties.
Wigan Council has defended the planning process that authorised the development, stating that the required procedures were followed and that landscaping was included to mitigate the visual and auditory impact of the buildings. However, Mayor Bev Craig has expressed that current planning rules should be reviewed to better address the proximity of large-scale logistics sites to residential gardens.
Similar Fears Spread to Eccles
The disputes in Astley have sparked similar concerns in nearby Eccles, where residents are protesting a proposed development on Lankro Way. That project, led by Aviva, involves seven warehouses reaching heights of up to 60 feet.
Neighbours of the site have expressed concern that the 230,000-square-foot logistics space will block a significant portion of their daylight and further depress property values. Residents have also raised questions regarding potential soil contamination from a former chemical plant at the Lankro Way site, though Aviva stated there is no evidence of such contaminants.
Salford Council noted that dozens of properties were notified of the plans and that all environmental and structural assessments have been reviewed.
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DHL Expansion Moves Ahead in Northern Ireland
In a separate development within the logistics sector, DHL recently received approval for an £18 million supply chain hub at Ballyearl Business Park in County Antrim. The facility, which will serve major supermarket chains, is expected to be operational by mid-2027 and will create approximately 60 new jobs while relocating existing staff from a nearby site.
