A new car park is set to be built at one of Bolton’s most popular parks after the situation with vehicles was described as often "chaotic".

Plans submitted this week from the council show its intention to use a grassed area of Moss Bank park to build a 47-space car park next to the current large car park at the site.

The new area will use the existing access road to the park.

The plans also include landscaping, including a hedge to part of the perimeter and the planting of eight trees.

The application said the area in question was a currently a "grassed area forming part of Moss Bank Park".

Smithills councillor Roger Hayes had campaigned for increased parking at the beauty spot.

He said: “There’s been a massive problem with parking, mainly because all kinds of additional activities are happening there without an increase in parking.

"That includes the junior football club, who do a brilliant job, but parking issues arise.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to get down Church Road and Moss Lane because of buses and the number of cars parked.

"Other activities at the park mean people park along Moss Lane right up to Barrow Bridge Road.

“It’s chaotic sometimes. It’s much needed and it’s just part of what we’re doing such as getting the other car park up near the café re-marked out.”

He added that surface material used for the car park surface would be recycled plastic which allows better drainage and allows grass to come through.

He said the surface could take a 40 tonne vehicle and give a solid base but would look like grass.

Planners in Bolton will decide on the proposals at a date to be decided.