THE town council leader of Westhoughton has mixed feelings about plans which would see a transformation of part of neighbouring Atherton.

Cllr David Wilkinson said the project to build houses, businesses and a shopping centre on 100 acres of land could benefit people but also bring new problems.

Developers have unveiled plans to remodel the open-cast site between Bag Lane/North Road and Schofield Lane, creating up to 700 new jobs, 459 houses and a community woodland area.

Cllr Wilkinson said a small part of the site is in Daisy Hill and much of Westhoughton would be affected if the project went ahead.

He said the former open-cast site, which is now filled with water, is an eyesore and a danger to children and he would welcome the new woodland area.

However, the Liberal Democrat added: "Any concern we have at the moment is about traffic. There could be a large increase in the amount of traffic using Platt Lane as well as other roads in Westhoughton which are already congested."

Cllr Wilkinson said he felt the problem could be solved by the Government funding a by-pass.

But he said it was likely any new road would be paid for by private investors who would want to develop land next to the new carriageway. He said many people would be against this.

The company behind the Atherton plan, Midlands-based Black Country Properties, said it would transform Gibfield Park, including the Bag Lane open-cast site and the former Gadbury Fold brickworks "from an environmental scar to a new community asset".

The proposals have been exhibited in the Atherton area and residents have been giving their views.