COUNCILLORS and environmental campaigners say they are delighted a Government inspector stopped a housing estate being built on their doorstep.

Residents on Forest Drive, Westhoughton, have fought a nine-year battle against developments on Fish Fold Farm.

They feared the latest plans would cause traffic bedlam on nearby Park Road.

Bolton Council said the building work should not go ahead. Now the inspector has ruled against the project as well.

Hulton Park councillor Eric Hyland said: "I'm delighted the inspector has supported Bolton Council's decision to put the environmental concerns and worries of residents ahead of big business.

"We should also be glad that residents got involved. That's what local democracy is all about.

"Bolton Council has an excellent record on environmental issues and this application is one of many of those fought successfully at public inquiries."

Developers JS Bloor applied in October 2000 to build 39 detached and eight semi-detached houses on the site, which lies between Forest Drive and Lee Bank.

When this was refused by the council, it then asked for permission to build 54 houses. This was also rejected.

The local authority felt the plans could cause traffic problems and that the development would encroach on a site of biological importance. The habitat includes protected species and trees.

Residents sent more than 100 letters to the council in opposition to the plans.

JS Bloor appealed against the two decisions from the council and an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions listened to the arguments from both sides at a public inquiry last month.

The inspector agreed with the council and the residents and dismissed JS Bloor's appeal.

David Fearnley, a founder member of Save Westhoughton Act Now (SWAN), has been supporting the residents along with other campaigners.

He said: "I think this is the first time that ecology has been taken seriously. This is a great thing. Developers are now going to have to think twice when they try to come up with ideas like this in future."