BANNER-WAVING protesters gathered at Bolton Town Hall to oppose plans for a women's refuge in Farnworth.

The planned three-storey building, to be run by Bolton charity Fortalice, would house 22 women and their children who have suffered domestic violence.

Residents fear it could increase problems with anti-social behaviour and believe the seven parking spaces proposed will be insufficient.

But members of Bolton Council's planning and highways committee were told yesterday by the authority's solicitor Nicola Raby that a covenant on part of the site bordering Farnworth Park protected it for the benefit of local residents.

That means nothing can be built on the land until either the council or the Irwell Valley Housing Association, the organisation behind the planning application, get the covenant lifted.

Residents say the land was originally part of Farnworth Park until the area came under the jurisdiction of Bolton Council in the 1970s.

Parents would prefer to see a children's play area at the site.

Councillors were told that £40,000 had been given by developer Charlton Homes for play equipment five years ago as part of a deal which saw houses built in Paisley Park.

Cllr Margaret Rothwell told members the money remained in the bank, adding that the design of the proposed building was out of keeping with two storey homes in the area.

Councillors were told by planning chief Tim Hill that they should disregard the covenant as it was not a planning issue but they nevertheless backed a call by Cllr Lawrence Williamson to defer the decision. Cllr Williamson said: "We need to look at where the park is going first, we owe it to residents."

Ward member, Cllr Noel Spencer, told the committee: "This is the only major park I'm aware of which lacks a children's play area and there's also a need for additional car parking."

Mother-of-two, Debra Greenhalgh, of Paisley Park, welcomed the decision to defer, but said residents realised the battle was far from won.

"It's good news about the covenant but we realise this could take some time and we are in it for the long haul, we'll fight on.

"We've nothing against Fortalice or the work they do but there's nothing for my children in the park at the moment and I would not take them there if the refuge was built."