Frequently asked questions regarding Whistl site at PLP Astley Business Park
Update 11th September 2026
Following our meeting with Astley residents and Wigan Council on 26 August, we have updated our FAQs to reflect the questions that have been raised with us and to provide the latest information on the steps we are taking to reduce disruption for nearby homes.
Why did Whistl move to Astley Business Park?
Whistl moved to Astley Business Park in July 2026 to upgrade our depot facilities from our previous site in Bolton and to support the essential mail and parcel delivery services our customers and the public rely on every day.
We employ around 300 people in the North-West, and it was important for us to find a suitable location that would allow us to retain as many local jobs as possible. Following an extensive search, we agreed a 15-year lease for Unit 2 at Astley Business Park.
What is the PLP Astley site used for?
We process around 17 million items through PLP Astley per week, which makes the site vital to the logistical operations of our customers based in or sending mail or parcels to the North of England and to Scotland.
Like most logistics businesses that operate across the UK, Whistl operates 24/7 to meet the public and our customers’ essential mail and parcel delivery needs.
Has Whistl met with the Astley Warehouse Action Group?
Yes. On 26th August, we met locally with the Astley Warehouse Action Group and Wigan Council to discuss residents’ concerns and agree a long-term solution. We put forward a proposal to address the residents’ noise concerns, which residents had the opportunity to review and provide feedback on. We have now received this initial feedback and are grateful for the considerations that they have given to our suggestions. The residents have agreed to our proposal to pause nighttime transport operations in and from the yard at PLP Astley. This commenced at midnight on Monday 7th September into Tuesday morning, seven days a week, and will remain in place whilst we work on measures to reduce noise from our operations below the appropriate threshold. The processing of mail and parcels will continue within the depot and we will adjust our transport operations to ensure that we meet our commitments to our customers.
In addition, we are working with Wigan Council and the site owners PLP in a joint-working group to deliver the second part of our proposal for sound mitigation, which is being reviewed by residents. We have invited Astley residents to join this group and we will continue to work directly with the Astley Warehouse Action Group to agree further actions to address their immediate concerns.
What proposal has Whistl made to the residents?
One of the important measures agreed is the proposal put forward by Whistl to pause nighttime operations in the PLP Astley yard between the hours of 00:00-06:00. This commenced at midnight on Monday 7th September.
As well as this, Whistl will work alongside the local residents towards further noise reduction measures and a jointly agreed robust process for measuring their effectiveness.
What does this mean in practice?
We have paused nighttime transport operations in and from the yard at PLP Astley, from midnight on Monday 7th September into Tuesday morning, with no transport activity in the yard between 00:00 and 06:00, seven days a week, whilst we work on further measures to reduce noise from our operations to below the appropriate threshold. The processing of mail and parcels will continue within the depot, and we will adjust our transport operations to ensure that we meet our commitments to our customers.
The residents are reviewing our second proposal to work together on further noise reduction measures and a jointly agreed robust process for measuring their effectiveness.
We will continue to meet regularly with Astley residents, Wigan Council and our landlord PLP to review progress, agree how the impact of the changes will be measured, and consider any further practical steps that may be needed.
What measures has Whistl already taken to address noise concerns raised by residents?
One of the key actions we have taken is to commission a detailed sound study by an independent expert. The expert will produce a report recommending enhancements to existing mitigations and new measures, which we will act upon in full. We are committed to sharing these findings with local Astley residents.
While we wait for this report, we have implemented some immediate noise mitigation measures, including:
- The use of quieter on-site vehicles such as shunt units to move trailers around in our yard;
- Installation of external and internal monitors to track noise allowing the on-site team immediately to address any noise incidents at source and in real time day and night;
- Eliminating refuelling at night;
- Preventing fuel tankers from accessing the site at night;
- Changing operational practice to ensure a minimum of activity occurs at night, and any activity takes place as far from residents as possible;
- Independent acoustic monitoring – the findings of which we will share directly with the noise mitigation joint-working group.
What other improvements has Whistl been undertaking?
In response to other questions raised by residents, we are also taking practical steps to reduce the impact of the site on nearby homes. This included installation of window frosting and automated blinds on the side of the building facing Thistle Croft to help limit light spill. We are also exploring the option of planting mature evergreen holly bushes to provide greenery and improve the appearance of the site for neighbouring residents.
