PLANS to build 72 apartments in Blackrod have been refused, despite nearby residents being in favour of the development.

Town councillors have recommended refusal, even though local people gave the thumbs up for the application to build nine four-storey apartment blocks off Moss Lane.

A petition with 32 signatures from residents in nearby Station Road was submitted to planning officers, as well as a separate letter supporting the proposed development, which would have created 72 two-bedroomed flats with 118 car parking spaces.

But Blackrod councillors voted for refusal on the grounds that the four-storey building would be an over-development for the area. There would also be noise from the M61 and an industrial estate, and there was concerns over increasing traffic. Cllr Mike Hollick, the Mayor of Blackrod, said: "We went along with what Bolton planning officers recommended. We have been fighting to keep the traffic down in that area for a long time.

"It would be lovely to see development there, but four-storey flats are too much for that area."

I feel sorry for the residents.

Mike Murray, vice chairman of Blackrod Residents' Association, said: "Residents are frustrated because they are generally in favour. The area is a shambles so these flats would make it look a lot better."

"This is brownfield land, so it would never return to being green belt. If the apartments don't go ahead, residents fear someone will take over the land for industrial use. But it's out of our hands now, so unfortunately we just have to see what happens.

The application is now subject to an appeal because it has passed the eight-week deadline for a decision, which means the final decision will now be made by the planning inspectorate.