Latest stage in Bluebell Walk, Westhoughton plan lodged

The Bluebell Walk development in Westhoughton has been hotly debated since it was first put forward in 2015.

Now, just weeks after developers asked to delay opening a new “through road”, further details about meeting conditions on road design and the phasing of play areas have been put forward.

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: “I was against the development even happening to begin with, what Bolton Council should have had was a plan to protect our greenspaces.

“One of the most frustrating things about this is that it makes delivering the Westhoughton bypass more difficult.”

The latest stage of the plans have been put forward (Image: Persimmon Homes)

The Bluebell Walk scheme was given the go-ahead by the UK Planning Inspectorate despite at first having been refused by Bolton Council following a four-day public enquiry in 2017.

One of the conditions laid out had been for the developers to open a new through road between Platt Lane and Chequerbent Roundabout.

Their recent request to delay opening the road sparked opposition, which Westhoughton Town Council having voted to ask that the bid be heard by Bolton Council’s planning committee.

But Mr Green said that better still would have been a larger scale bypass, which he believes could have helped alleviate traffic in the area.

Cllr David Wilkinson, of Westhoughton South, has previously said that he believes a bypass like this could have solved the areas problem with traffic “30 years ago.”

But he pointed out that this was rejected by the government at the time.

He said: “But what we always really wanted all along was a bypass, a proper full blown bypass was the only way of dealing with traffic round there.”

The latest part of the plans put before Bolton Council has been about meeting the conditions for materials, road construction details and the phasing in of play areas.

Developers Persimmon Homes have said previously that they asked to delay opening the new through road because of safety concerns.

They say have discussed when the road may be able to be opened with Bolton Council.

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Bolton Council in turn has said that the people in Westhoughton and their representatives views will be taken into account before a decision is made.

A council spokesperson said: “Persimmon Homes have raised health and safety concerns with the council concerning the opening of the spine road through a construction site.

“They have submitted a Section 73 application with the council for the variation of condition to open the spine road prior to the occupation of the dwellings.

“Prior to a decision being taken the council will consult with local residents, Westhoughton Town Council and consultees and take their views into consideration when assessing the application before coming to a recommendation.”