A DEMOLITION company is planning to build homes on land it currently uses as a haulage yard.

Walter Forshaw Ltd, has submitted a planning application to Bolton Council to build 16 three-storey homes in Bolton Road, Westhoughton.

The company operates from the site but is moving to larger premises in James Street, Westhoughton, next year.

It is proposing to demolish storage buildings and replace them with 16 three and four-bedroom detached homes.

The fully-fitted, red-brick homes will be provided with 22 on-site parking spaces and access to the main road.

Forshaw director Joyce Bateson said: "When we move out of the site it will be of no use to us. We took advice from Bolton Council that we shouldn't maintain it as a haulage yard because our new one is not that far away.

"The council suggested a residential development in its place and we thought it was a good idea.

"We've had no objections and we're confident this can only benefit the area."

The company also says that the development is likely to reduce traffic and noise problems caused by lorries and wagons travelling to and from the site.

The plans have received outline permission but members of Westhoughton Town Council are unhappy with the proposals and have recommended that they be refused.

Town councillor David Chadwick said: "We think this application is inappropriate. It's a busy main road near a sports centre and schools and is not ideal to take extra traffic."

A Bolton Council decision is expected by April 16.

The plans are the latest in a string of housing applications in Westhoughton.

Among proposals unveiled during the last month, are an application from Miller Homes for a 78-home estate on the former Greenvale Works site, off Leigh Road, and proposals by Elite Homes North West for 98 homes on the site of Bolton Road Mill. Developers, Romor Group this month received permission for 36 two-bedroom flats in Chorley Road.