CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a two-storey hotel in Horwich have been refused following concerns about traffic.

People living near the Beehive pub in Chorley New Road had objected to the plans to build the 60-bed travel inn and 93 of them had signed a petition against the application.

The plans to build the hotel next to the pub with 106 car parking spaces had been deferred several times by Bolton's Planning Committee, but were finally thrown out after councillors agreed the area was already overdeveloped.

Residents had argued that the applicant, Punch Travel Inn Company, had not considered the effect the hotel would have on traffic travelling along Chorley New Road, which is already heavily congested during the rush hour.

They also feared noise and visibility problems and Claypool Primary School had lodged an objection on the grounds of highway concerns.

Despite town hall planners having recommended that the proposals be approved, members of the planning committee were fully supportive of the residents.

Cllr John Noble said: "We've messed about already over this, this scheme is massively overdeveloped.

"This is one of the busiest roundabouts in the town and I do not think it is a viable proposition. Surely there is a better site than this."

Cllr Barbara Ronson said: "We are still waiting for the company to carry out previous planning orders such as landscaping the area around the pub and we've messed about enough over this application."