PLANS to introduce year-round paintballing in Horwich have been splattered.

Clive Linney, of Eccles-based Paintballing HQ, had wanted permission to open a range off George's Lane, seven days a week.

But a Government inspector threw out his appeal against Bolton Council, which had originally refused to grant planning permission. However, Mr Linney can still operate paintballing sessions for 28 days a year.

The planning inspector, John Whalley, said he agreed with Bolton Council and local objectors that:

The paintball games would detract from the quietness of the area

Visual harm would be caused

The use of the land would neither preserve nor enhance the character of the area.

He said that extra parking and seeing people "dressed not unlike soldiers at war" and making a noise while playing paintball would stop people enjoying the peace of the countryside.

Mr Whalley also said large numbers of paintballers would be likely to cause erosion and could harm habitats. Reacting to the news, Mr Linney said he could still operate 28 days a year and so wasn't very disappointed. The inspector backed Mr Linney on one point - he quashed enforcement notices insisting on the removal of caravans, timber structures, screen nettings and all other fixtures and fittings after he decided Bolton Council had not been clear in its reasons for the notices.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.