A LEISURE firm aiming to build a controversial hotel next to a busy roundabout has denied it would cause road chaos, a planning inquiry heard.

The Punch Travel Inn Company said their plans for a 60-bed travel inn at the Beehive pub on Chorley New Road, Horwich, would not cause any problems for motorists or residents.

The council had already turned down the plans, agreeing with people who live nearby that the development would create too much traffic at a busy and dangerous roundabout.

Access to the site, they said, would mean cars cutting across the traffic on Chorley New Road.

The Beehive also leases its car park to fans on match days at the nearby Reebok Stadium. There were fears that this would mean traffic chaos with nowhere for hotel guests to park their cars.

But the company felt the decision was unjustified and resubmitted the plans.

At the inquiry yesterday at Bolton town hall, the company said there was adequate parking and no threat to traffic or safety.

Paul Tucker, for the firm, told the Government-appointed inspector, Robert Sexton, they should never have been forced to appeal.

He said: "There is no evidence at all that the car park will be anything other than adequate. More cars will be generated on this site, but that does not equate with more traffic on the highway network."

Mr Tucker said the suggestion that the development would create an increased accident risk was "grossly misleading".

But Ruth Stockley, for the council, said: "The site is located on a major roundabout where there is queuing, particularly at peak times. The council's primary concern relates to the increased manoeuvres in and out of this site and its impact on the traffic network."

Residents speaking against the proposal were joined by ward councillors Bob and Barbara Ronson and Cllr John Connolley from Horwich town council.

Nicole Simpson, of Melbury Drive, claimed there were 50 cars parked at the Beehive during an average afternoon out of a total of 105 spaces.

She said: "If you account for another 60 cars if the hotel goes ahead, staff parking of around another 20 and, if there are any weekend functions, another 50 or 60, there are simply not enough spaces."

But an engineer speaking on behalf of the company said that was not a reasonable estimate.

The inquiry continues today.