CONTROVERSIAL plans for 306 new homes on the former British Aerospace site in Lostock have suffered a setback after councillors raised concerns over increased traffic.

Persimmon Homes applied to build 178 houses and 124 apartments on the former aerospace car park off Lostock Lane and on playing fields belonging to Lostock Sports Club.

The plan is part of a larger scheme including the Bolton Wanderers Academy and 120,000 sq feet of offices which would see the sports club move to Tempest Road, Chew Moor, in a merger with Ladybridge Sports and Leisure.

But Bolton Council's planning and highways committee deferred a decision on the scheme, which would also include 337 parking spaces, a new access road serving Greenhalgh's Bakery and a play area near Ox Hey Lane housing.

It attracted 117 objections from residents and councillors heard from Mike Greenhalgh, a member of a group set up to liaise with the developer.

Mr Greenhalgh complained that the number of homes had more than trebled from the 88 proposed when outline permission for the scheme was granted in January 2003.

He said the four-storey apartments would overlook homes on Lostock Lane, but the developer has now offered to alter its designs to address those concerns.

"Members need longer to digest all the documents," said Mr Greenalgh. "This would have a huge impact on services, pollution and traffic congestion."

Ward member Cllr Martyn Cox told councillors the increased number of homes could mean an extra 600 cars and 1,200 people in the area.

"This original proposal was a good mixed development and I would ask the committee to keep it that way and proceed with that application," he said.

Howard Barrett, head of planning and building control, said the developer had agreed to introduce SCOOT traffic lights at the junction of Lostock Lane, Cranfield Road and the new access. The SCOOT signals respond automatically to changes in traffic flow.

But committee members still raised fears about the traffic impact of the development.

Cllr Barbara Ronson said: "There's no plan showing how traffic is going to move through and around the site."

Cllr David Wilkinson added: "There's a continuing growth in traffic. People already compain that they can't walk down Lostock Lane and Wingates Lane to work. It's a death trap and I want to see something to make these roads safer."

Concerns were also aired about uncertainty surrounding plans for the proposed sports club move, which are due to go before the committee in the near future.