The System Works, But Not for the People Living Next to It: What Wigan Tells Us About Modern Development

30 April 2026

Paul Francis

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A Local Story That Feels Increasingly Familiar

What is happening in parts of Wigan may look, at first glance, like a local planning dispute. Large-scale warehouse developments rising close to residential areas, residents voicing concerns about noise, traffic, flooding and loss of privacy, and a council insisting that the proper processes have been followed. On paper, it is a story that fits neatly within the rules of modern development.

Large stone head sculpture in a park, surrounded by green grass, flowers, and street lamps. Modern glass building in the background. Cloudy sky. — Orwellian Wigan by Gary Rogers

Yet speak to those living next to these sites, and a different picture begins to emerge. Homes overshadowed by vast industrial buildings, concerns about drainage and water flow, increased vehicle movement on roads never designed for that volume, and perhaps most unsettling of all, security infrastructure that now looks directly into spaces that were once considered private. These are not abstract planning concerns. They are changes that reshape everyday life.

The more closely you look, the clearer it becomes that Wigan is not an isolated case. It is a visible example of something that is happening across the UK, where the system functions as intended, but the outcome does not feel like a fair balance for the people most affected.

When Approval Does Not Mean Acceptance

There is no suggestion that these developments have been built without permission. They have moved through the planning system, been assessed, debated and ultimately approved. Councils are required to consider economic benefits, land use, infrastructure and environmental factors, and in many cases, warehouse developments tick the right boxes.

They promise jobs, investment and long-term economic activity. They make use of land that may already be designated for industrial or mixed use. From a planning perspective, they can be justified.

But there is a gap between approval and acceptance, and it is in that gap where much of the frustration sits. Residents can object, sign petitions and attend consultations, yet still find that the outcome is largely unchanged. The process allows for participation, but not necessarily for influence. This is not a failure of procedure. It is a limitation of what the procedure is designed to achieve.

Living With the Consequences

What matters most is not the planning application itself, but what happens once the development becomes reality.

In Wigan, residents have raised concerns that go beyond aesthetics. Flooding has been linked, rightly or wrongly, to changes in land use and drainage patterns. Increased traffic brings noise, congestion and safety worries. Infrastructure that once served a smaller population struggles to cope with the added demand.

Then there are the less obvious impacts. Security systems, including CCTV, are often installed as part of large industrial sites. While they serve a legitimate purpose, their placement can have unintended consequences for neighbouring homes, introducing a level of surveillance that feels intrusive in what were previously private spaces.

Individually, each of these issues might be manageable. Together, they represent a significant shift in how people experience their own neighbourhood.

The Rise of the Warehouse Economy

To understand why this is happening, it is necessary to look beyond Wigan.

The growth of online retail, next-day delivery and global supply chains has created an enormous demand for logistics space. Warehouses are no longer remote facilities placed far from where people live. They are increasingly positioned close to major roads and population centres, where they can serve customers more efficiently.

Large gray warehouse with a fenced yard, surrounded by road and grass. Overcast sky, with a black car on the road. — Poundland Warehouse, South Lancs Industrial Estate, Bryn by Gary Rogers

Wigan, with its proximity to key motorway networks, is an ideal location from a logistics perspective. What makes sense for distribution networks, however, does not always align with the needs of residential communities.

This tension is not unique to one town. It is a feature of a broader economic shift, where convenience and efficiency are prioritised, often at the expense of localised impact.

When Consultation Feels Like a Formality

A recurring theme in situations like this is the feeling that consultation exists, but does not meaningfully shape the outcome.

Legally, councils are required to notify certain residents, publish plans and allow time for responses. In practice, that information can be difficult to access, easy to overlook or hard to interpret without specialist knowledge. By the time the scale of a development becomes fully understood, the process may already be too far advanced to change.

This creates a sense of decisions being made around people rather than with them. The framework allows for input, but the influence of that input can feel limited. It is here that trust begins to erode, not because rules have been broken, but because the experience of those rules does not feel equitable.

A System Designed for Balance, But Delivering Imbalance

Planning systems are built on the idea of balance. Economic growth must be weighed against environmental impact, infrastructure against demand, and development against community well-being.

The difficulty is that these factors are not always equal in practice. Economic arguments are often clear, measurable and immediate. Community impacts, particularly those that affect quality of life, can be harder to quantify and easier to downplay.

Over time, this can lead to outcomes that consistently favour development, even when local resistance is strong. The system functions, but the balance it produces does not always feel fair to those who live with the results.

What Wigan Should Teach Us

If there is a lesson to be taken from Wigan, it is not that development should stop. Growth, investment and infrastructure are all necessary parts of a functioning economy.

The lesson is that the current approach is leaving gaps that need to be addressed.

Communities need clearer, more accessible information at the earliest stages of planning. Consultation needs to feel meaningful rather than procedural. Infrastructure considerations, from drainage to transport, need to be treated as central, not secondary. And the lived experience of residents needs to carry more weight alongside economic arguments.

Without these changes, situations like this will continue to repeat, not as isolated incidents, but as a pattern.

A Modern Norm That Deserves Scrutiny

What is happening in Wigan is not an anomaly. It is an example of how modern development is unfolding across the country.

Large-scale projects are moving closer to where people live. Decisions are being made within systems that prioritise efficiency and growth. And communities are being asked, in effect, to adapt after the fact.

The system, in a technical sense, is working. Applications are processed, regulations are followed and developments are delivered.

But for the people living next to them, the outcome can feel very different.

And that is where the conversation needs to shift, from whether the system functions to whether it functions fairly.

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The Perils of Political Assassinations: Lessons from History

Paul Francis
Jul 22, 2024
4 min read

At 6:11 pm on the 13th of July, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a rally in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, failed to hit Trump but tragically killed Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief who was attending the rally. The potential ramifications of Trump's assassination are twofold, in my personal opinion: 1) It would have made him a martyr, further pushing his cause, or 2) It would have turned him into a survivor, bestowing him with even more political clout. The latter scenario might have even fuelled the far-right narrative of 'he's chosen by God.' Only time will tell as America heads to the polls.

Man in a mask pretending to be Donald Trump outside Trump tower.

Historical Precedents: Assassinations That Shaped the World

Assassination attempts, as history has shown us, rarely lead to positive outcomes. Take World War I as a glaring example—an assassination that ignited a global conflict. Over 16 million people were killed worldwide, and the war’s aftermath directly contributed to the conditions that led to World War II. Let's delve into some of the most significant political assassinations in history, examining the individuals, their lives, and the chaotic aftermaths of their deaths.

Julius Caesar: The Fall of the Roman Republic

Born in 100 BCE, Julius Caesar was a towering figure in Roman history. Known for his military prowess, he expanded the Roman Republic through a series of conquests. Caesar was charismatic, pragmatic, and ambitious, traits that made him both beloved by the masses and feared by the Senate. However, his ambition and accumulation of power also made him controversial, with some perceiving him as a potential dictator.

The Assassination

On the Ides of March, 44 BCE, Caesar was assassinated by a group of about 60 senators led by Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus, and Marcus Junius Brutus. They believed his growing power threatened the Republic’s traditions, fearing he would become a monarch.

The Aftermath

The immediate result was chaos. Mark Antony's speech swayed public opinion against the conspirators, leading to a series of civil wars. Ultimately, this power struggle resulted in the rise of Caesar's heir, Octavian (later Augustus), and the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Abraham Lincoln: The Cost of Unity

Born in 1809, Abraham Lincoln rose from humble beginnings to become the 16th President of the United States. Known for his integrity and empathy, he led the country through the Civil War and worked tirelessly to abolish slavery. Despite his many virtues, Lincoln was also a polarising figure, particularly in the Southern states, where he was seen as a threat to their way of life.

The Assassination

On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Booth believed killing Lincoln would revive the Confederate cause.

The Aftermath

Lincoln's death plunged the nation into deep mourning and left Vice President Andrew Johnson to navigate the tumultuous Reconstruction era. Johnson’s lenient policies towards the South and clashes with Radical Republicans hindered efforts to secure civil rights for former slaves, exacerbating regional tensions for decades.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The Spark of a Global Conflict

Franz Ferdinand, born in 1863, was the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Known for his conservative views and advocacy for military modernization, he was both a symbol of potential reform and an object of suspicion within the empire. His marriage to Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, was also controversial due to her lower rank.

The Assassination

On June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist group Black Hand, assassinated Franz Ferdinand. The group aimed to end Austro-Hungarian rule over Bosnia and promote Slavic nationalism.

The Aftermath

The assassination set off a chain reaction, leading to World War I. Over 16 million people were killed worldwide, and the conflict caused massive destruction and reshaped the geopolitical landscape. The Treaty of Versailles and the harsh penalties imposed on Germany and other Central Powers created economic and political instability, directly contributing to the rise of fascism and the outbreak of World War II.

Mahatma Gandhi: The Price of Peace

Mahatma Gandhi, born in 1869, was a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement. Known for his philosophy of non-violence and simplicity, Gandhi inspired millions with his principles of truth and civil disobedience. However, his personal life was complex; his strict adherence to celibacy and asceticism often caused friction with his family.

The Assassination

On January 30, 1948, in New Delhi, Gandhi was shot by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who opposed Gandhi’s acceptance of partition and perceived appeasement of Muslims.

The Aftermath

Gandhi’s death led to national mourning and communal riots. Prime Minister Nehru’s government intensified efforts to stabilize the country and promote secularism. However, Gandhi’s assassination underscored the deep religious divides in India.

John F. Kennedy: The Shattered Dream

John F. Kennedy, born in 1917, became a symbol of a new generation of American leadership. Charismatic and youthful, Kennedy inspired many with his vision for civil rights and his handling of international crises. However, his personal life was marred by numerous affairs and health issues, which contrasted sharply with his public image.

The Assassination

On November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine. Oswald's motives remain unclear, but his actions left an indelible mark on American history.

The Aftermath

Kennedy’s death shocked the nation and the world. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in and used the national sentiment to push forward significant civil rights legislation. However, the assassination also bred numerous conspiracy theories, fostering a lasting sense of distrust in the government.

The Futility of Political Killings

Throughout history, political assassinations have seldom achieved their intended outcomes. Instead, they often lead to greater instability, conflict, and long-term consequences that far outweigh any perceived benefits. As we reflect on these historical precedents, it becomes clear that political violence is never the answer. Constructive dialogue and democratic processes are crucial for fostering lasting change and stability.

So, as we observe the unfolding events in America from our vantage point across the pond, let us hope for a future where political disputes are settled through ballots, not bullets, and where leaders are remembered not for their violent ends but for their contributions to humanity.