A NEW flats complex in Ringley is definitely not being built to house asylum seekers, despite strong rumours circulating in the area.

The block of 21 two-bedroom apartments on the corner of Hulme Road and Fernside is due to be completed in May before being placed on the housing market.

Kearsley Cllr Margaret Rothwell said she had been inundated with calls by angry residents saying that they believed that the complex would be used to house asylum seekers.

Today she moved to set the record straight.

Cllr Rothwell said that a planning application had been lodged with Bolton Council by Atherton-based developers Engleford to build the complex last August.

It was rejected on the grounds that councillors felt the area was unsuitable.

But the company got the go-ahead after winning an appeal hearing and work began in December.

Cllr Rothwell said that since then many people had contacted her to raise their concerns.

She said: "I have had heard the rumours that have been circulating. Some people have said it was for asylum seekers and others that it was going to be a bail hostel. None of it is true at all.

"I have it in writing from the developers."

Cllr Rothwell has toured the flats herself.

She added: "It is a very sensitive subject at the moment. I have seen the flats and met the developer. I needed to see him face-to-face because no one would believe me otherwise. They are two-bedroom luxury flats and they are to go on open sale."

The selling price for the flats have not been announced. No one was available for comment at Engleford.