A FOOTBALL academy can be built by Bolton Wanderers, despite strong opposition from local residents.

The plans have been given the go-ahead by Bolton Council's planning committee.

As part of the proposal put forward by Bolton Wanderers Football Club, an indoor football school is to be developed at Lostock Industrial Estate and Sports Ground, along with pitches and residential and industrial developments.

The club will be following in the footsteps of Premiership rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, whose academies have produced players such as David Beckham and Michael Owen.

But more than 190 letters of objection from local residents were sent to the council expressing fears of increased traffic on already congested roads.

At the planning meeting Horwich Cllr Barbara Ronson, said: "The traffic around the area is already like that in a town centre. It's almost like you have to go through one lot of town centre traffic before you even get to the centre of Bolton."

Residents were also concerned that the development would lead to noise, pollution, and car parking problems. And they fear the complex will ruin the surrounding countryside and local wildlife.

Residents also warned of the danger to pedestrians on Ox Hey Lane with the increased amount of traffic and, they said, floodlighting was inappropriate on green belt land.

A spokesman for the Lostock Residents Association, said: "We are obviously very disappointed at the outcome of the planning application."

One of the main objections from residents was the use of Green Belt land.

Following the announcement, Phil Gartside, Chairman of Bolton Wanderers said: "The planning permission was an important step for the club in achieving a new Football Academy, with facilities meeting the Football Association's new requirements.

"While the Academy primarily assists us in bringing young footballing talent into the world of the professional, it also provides a base for our Football in the Community Programme.

"We recognise that there are a variety of detailed issues that still need to be resolved."