A CALL has been made for developers to end their silence over a second "super estate" plan in Westhoughton.

As reported yesterday, speculation is mounting that more than 1,000 homes will be built on the Bowlands Hey site, off Wigan Road.

It would only be a mile or so from Lee Hall where a planning application for 1,100 homes has already been submitted.

The BEN has tried for four days to contact developers Bellway to find out what is going on.

But on each occasion, we were told that there was nobody available for comment.

And the mystery deepened yesterday when the BEN was called to the Bowlands Hey site where people were seen examining the land. The BEN approached one car to ask if they could help us and the driver did a U-turn and drove off.

Then we spoke to two men in another car and they told us they were not from Bellway and would not comment on whether the men in the other car were.

Now Bolton's planning chiefs are calling on Bellway to let them know what is going on.

Cllr John Byrne, vice chairman of Bolton's planning and environment committee, said: "We want to know what their plans are for Bowlands Hey.

"We are expecting something to happen. We have twice fought plans to develop this land and we would like to know what is happening."

And Westhoughton town councillor David Wilkinson added: "It seems that the developers are just keeping their heads down over this. But there are a lot of people in Westhoughton very worried." Meanwhile, a war of words has already erupted locally over the rumours.

Cllr Byrne has hit out at an article in Liberal Democrat Focus leaflet distributed in the central ward area of Westhoughton.

The Save Our Fields campaign leaflet said: "Bolton's Labour-run council has demanded a major road junction to allow building to take place.

"At public inquiries, Bolton Council has stated that Bowlands Hey should all be built in one go. This would mean a development of over 1,000 houses.

"Recently there was a public inquiry about building 20 houses on the Firwood Building Supplies site in Wigan Road. Bolton Council asked for space to be allowed for an access road to allow traffic to reach the Bowlands Hey site. "So much for Labour's claim of saving Westhoughton's green fields from builders."

But Cllr Byrne said: "We have fought against housing plans for Bowlands Hey twice and it is unfair to suggest otherwise. We have always been against it. This leaflet gives the impression we want a massive housing estate there."

Cllr Wilkinson said: "I put things straight and if people don't like it then that's tough. I deal in the facts and I'm not afraid to let people know those facts."

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