Bolton West MP Chris Green has joined with Westhoughton councillors in condemning Bolton Council’s decision to withdraw opposition to controversial plans for 300 houses in Westhoughton.
Persimmon Homes’ plans for 300 houses on protected land in Lee Hall, between Platt Lane and Manchester Road, is due to go to public inquiry in a matter of weeks, however chances of the public inquiry rejecting the plans are now slim after Bolton Council withdrew part of its opposition.
The Council’s u-turn comes after it also withdrew opposition at a public inquiry into plans for 110 houses on green space in Blackrod – leading to the inquiry to find in favour of the plans.
Chris commented: “There has already been a huge amount of development in Westhoughton and services like our transport network are already creaking under the pressure.
“Westhoughton residents, councillors and I have been united against this development from the very beginning and I think that Bolton Council is making a huge mistake by not standing up to developers.
“It sets a worrying precedent for our other green spaces.”
Councillor Martyn Cox said: “Along with Westhoughton’s two other Conservative councillors, I have campaigned alongside local people to make sure that these plans were rejected in the first place.
“Our roads, public transport links and schools will simply not be able to cope with this many more houses.
“By withdrawing their objection, Labour-run Bolton Council is showing not only that it doesn’t care about the people of Westhoughton, but also that it is not fit for purpose.”
The public inquiry will be taking place from Tuesday, July 5 at 10am in Library Lecture Theatre 1, Central Library, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. It is expected to last for four days.