A COMPANY which wants to build a controversial renewable energy plant have been forced to put the plans on hold.

Bolton Heat and Power, owned by Armstrongs Environmental, wants to build a huge generator in Horwich.

Bosses asked Bolton Council for a certificate of lawfulness, which would have enabled the firm to press ahead with the plans.

But town hall chiefs refused to pass the application, and has told the firm it must apply through the official planning process.

George Leary, aged 70, of Chorley New Road, took part in a protest against the plans. He said: “I’m glad the certificate of lawfulness has been refused as it means we will get a chance to object if there is a future planning application.

“We have had a number of problems with Armstrongs with dust, smells and an increase in traffic and any increase will cause more problems.”

Bolton Heat and Power want to install the generator at the site of the former Horwich Castings Foundry at the Loco Works. They say the 20 megawatt development would provide electricity for 40,000 homes.

But residents were angry when they found out about plans for the Chorley New Road site, because no public consultation is necessary if a certificate of lawfulness is being sought.

Eileen Jackson, chairman of the Blackrod and Horwich Environmental Action Group, said: “This shows that big companies cannot just push things through the back door and we will be supporting people in Horwich to fight this.”

Cllr Stephen Rock said: “I am happy that this will need planning permission as it will give people a chance to voice their concerns and we will get the chance to look at what is involved and the affect it could have on residents.”

In July, 3,500 tonnes of timber went up in flames at the Armstrongs Environmental Services site, causing schools to close and leaving residents without water.

The company was fined £500 at Bolton magistrates court in October for not having permission from the fire service for the woodstack.

No-one from the company was available to comment on the generator issue.

amanda.smith@theboltonnews.co.uk