TWO controversial housing schemes were due to go before Bolton's planning councillors later today.

They will be asked to give the go ahead for detailed designs of 255 homes on the Sweetloves Reservoir site at Wilkinson Road, Astley Bridge.

The application has been put in jointly by developers Jones Homes and Barratt and shows 55 more houses than was envisaged on the site.

An application to build houses on the drained North West Water reservoir, just off Belmont Road, caused a public outcry when it was first submitted in 1993. Bolton Council turned it down, but it was later allowed on appeal by the Department of the Environment.

Councillors will also be asked to give the go ahead for a massive housing scheme at Westhoughton. Developers Redrow Homes want to build 183 homes at Edges Farm between Leigh Road and Woodward Road at Daisy Hill.

In October, councillors refused permission because they felt the roads could not cope with any more traffic.

But now the developers have re-submitted two applications, one for 137 homes and the other for 46.

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