Leigh needs to keep front garden walls

From the archive, first published Friday 13th Apr 2007.

TOWN councillors fear Leigh could lose its individuality because more people want to demolish their front garden walls.

The concerns were raised at a town council planning meeting, where an application to put hardstanding at the front of a house in Avenue Road was discussed.

John Gair, who lives in Avenue Road, said many residents did not want to see cars in front gardens.

The town council opposed the plans because it would mean losing a wall which was "typically Leigh"

Mr Gair said: "It's not intended as a garden rockery. The applicants are asking to have a hardstanding to put a vehicle on it.

"We are most concerned because we do not have that in Avenue Road.

"You have it in Victoria and in Seaview."

Town councillor Elaine Crystall said if plans were passed it could set an "undesirable precedent". She added: "I'm strongly against this because it's the one road that has not been spoiled by putting cars in front gardens.

"This would be the beginning of the end. This is one little gem of a road."

The proposals will now go to Southend Council for a final decision.