Wigan Council intends to leave four Green Belt sites out of its refreshed Local Plan after residents and councillors objected to large employment schemes.

The sites are land north of M6 Junction 26, the Moss Industrial Estate extension in Leigh, Bridgewater West in Astley, and land west of Winwick Lane in Lowton. Together they had been earmarked for around 5 million sq ft of employment space.

A cabinet report says the borough can still meet its jobs share under the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone plan without those sites, though it notes a gap in the range of employment land available.

Councillor Paul Kenny, cabinet member for planning, environmental services and transport, said: “We have listened to your feedback, and the views of our communities have been reflected in these decisions.”

He added: “By removing them from the latest version of the Local Plan, we believe we have struck the right balance between supporting economic growth and job creation, providing opportunities for residents, and protecting our environment.”

The council also said it will not support Peel Land’s Gibfield Park masterplan between Atherton and Westhoughton. The cabinet report called the current masterplan “the wrong plan for our residents and borough.” Cabinet is due to consider the Local Plan on 27 August.