RESIDENTS have stepped up their battle to stop a coal storage and distribution yard being built near their homes.

Despite the family-run business Dickinson and Sons Ltd having withdrawn support for the controversial planning application and promising they will not be leasing land to CMR (Estates) Ltd, residents still fear that the application could still be given the green light.

The residents in Station Road, Blackrod, have lodged a complaint against Bolton Council alleging a number of mistakes have been made in relation to the application before it is even considered by the planning committee on October 18.

They remain angry that they only found out about the application after reading a story in the BEN.

They are also arguing that access to the land off Station Road does not meet the council's own highways regulations, the application lacks adequate detail and there are already environmental problems at an adjacent site after planning permission was given to Dickinsons for a recycling plant in 1999.

Bolton's planning department has received more than 600 objections to the proposals on the grounds of noise and pollution and Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly is also backing their fight.

As reported in the BEN, residents were so furious about the plans that 100 of them protested and brought rush hour traffic to a standstill.

They have also sent out information packs about their concerns to all 60 Bolton councillors.

Dave McGuinness, who lives on Station Road, said: "We have spoken to a solicitor and the residents are prepared to take it as far as we need to.

"We feel Bolton Council is letting things go through the planning department with certain conditions, but then not enforcing the conditions and we are worried the same thing will happen with the coal yard.

"Dickinsons have made a public statement to say they won't allow the yard on their land, but we don't want residents to be complacent and think the fight is over because it could drag on for some time yet."

The Dickinson family, well known as transport contractors in Horwich and Blackrod for more than 70 years, has repeated its promise that the coal yard will not be built on their land.

James Dickinson, operations manager, said: "There is no change in our stance whatsoever - even if the coal yard application is given permission, which looks unlikely, it will not go on our land."

A spokesman from Bolton Council said: "We have received more than 600 objections to the proposal and along with reports from the Highways Agency and Environment Agency they will be considered at the planning meeting.

"The residents have raised a number of concerns with the Council and we have taken on board these issues.

"For example, the residents have said that there was inadequate consultation and notification of the planning application.

"We do hold our hands up to the fact that the first report which went to Blackrod Town Council was discussed before residents were informed but when we spotted it we immediately notified residents and Blackrod Town Council discussed the matter again.

"The large number of objections that we have received since will be discussed at the committee meeting."

CMR (Estates) Ltd refused to comment. Solicitor Objections UNITED WE STAND: Station Road residents demonstrate against the proposed coal yard