Work has begun at a controversial housing development site which first surfaced five years ago.

In 2015, planning permission was granted by a narrow margin to Peel L&P and Jones Homes for the building of 106 homes on the Westhoughton site.

However, this was increased to 150 homes last year after the development was taken over by its subsidiary developer, Northstone.

Northstone has described the development, with building now underway, as new energy efficient homes which will provide a "mix of quality family housing with smart living features and promote more neighbourly communities."

The development in Westhoughton, called Silkash, will be a mix of two, three and four bed homes to "help meet local housing needs while creating 160 construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities to support skills and the local economy", the firm said in a statement.

Phil Wilson, an Executive Director at Peel L&P, said: “We’re excited to start on site at our first development and are looking forward to bringing our new-style homes to the market in Bolton while helping to meet the local demand for housing.”

This development has sparked some controversy over the last five years.

Cllr David Wilkinson has been against the plan for some time and said the constant developments and applications in the area were taking its toll.

He said: "Residents are not happy with the amount of green space that has been lost over the years.

"The public services in the area are already struggling and I am being told that schools are already full, people also won't be able to afford them.

"We're tired of application after application and the disruption it will cause."