I WAS somewhat shocked to read in the Bolton Evening News of a planning application being made by Stephen Fitton to re-locate Dunscar War Memorial and build 11 luxury homes and an apartment block on the adjoining "green field" site.

Is he not aware that this proposed site is in both a green belt and a conservation area? It provides a "green break" between the built up area of Egerton and Dunscar Bridge.

The road system in the area, which has not significantly altered since the early 1950s, has had to cope with several additional large housing schemes in recent years, namely Hospital Road, another is presently in the pipeline at the former Blair Hospital site, several areas in the close proximity of Egerton, land off Darwen Road and Eagley.

The building development on the scale proposed is just another in the area, and would add further to traffic congestion being located so close to the busy junction of Darwen Road and Blackburn Road.

Dunscar War Memorial is a focal point in the area, and reminds people of the sacrifice made by local people in the First and Second World Wars. It acts as a place of solace for war veterans where relatives and friends of fallen victims can remember them. On Remembrance Day, a service is held at the Memorial which is attended by hundreds of people each year.

I have lived in the area for several years and am not aware of fly tipping and glue sniffing taking place on the site in question, as the applicant claims. To use this as a reason for proposing such a development is, in my opinion, outrageous.

There is no alternative but for the Authority to refuse planning permission.

K E Fletcher

Turnerford Close

Egerton