PLANS for an £100m new Manchester racecourse at Boothstown will be decided at a public inquiry.

Landowners and developers Peel Holdings have appealed against Wigan and Salford councils’ failure to make a decision on the proposed Salford Forest Park scheme.

Although the 1,700 acres site is on Green Belt land and covers Botany Bay Wood, Moss House and Botany Bay farms, an access road to the site is planned south of the East Lancashire Road and Chaddock Lane junction at the Queen’s Arms, Boothstown cuts across farmland within Wigan’s boundary.

Park and racecourse plans were revealed six years ago for a horse racing course, international golf course, hotel, equestrian and outdoor activities centre.

It would involve a racetrack and 6,000-seat grandstand, 18-hole international golf course, 80-bedroom hotel, equestrian centre, and 'eco village' plus facilities for outdoor pursuits such as cycling and walking.

Peel's Philip Rothwell said: "We believe lodging an appeal is the only way a decision will be made.”

Objectors say race day traffic will result in massive congestion with up to 20,000 race fans attracted to major events.

They also fear it would bring road safety problems, affect nature and impact on local residents’ amenity, air quality and result in the loss of some good quality agricultural land.

At last week's meeting of Wigan planning committee, members heard a report from Wigan’s director of environment, Martin Kimber, who said a scheme of such size needed two access roads and the East Lancashire Road access at Boothstown was the obvious choice in addition to the M60 access south east of the proposed site.

They were told that it was Salford’s decision to determine how the proposal measured up against national Green Belt policy.

Regarding the A580 access Mr Kimber said: "The proposed development in Wigan is inappropriate in the Green Belt, but not to a degree that would justify objecting this part of the proposed development if it is demonstrated that there are very special circumstances for allowing the overall, proposed development.”

Wigan planning committee decided the appropriate recommendation was of "a qualified, no objection".

Salford planners meet next Thursday to discuss their approach to any inquiry.