TONGE Moor residents are up in arms over plans to rebuild a Labour Club which they claim will be almost "on the back doorsteps". They say the plans, which are being considered by Bolton Council, mean that the new club would be only 10 to 15 feet from their homes. The houses worst affected, they say, are in Parkside and Banbury Road which back directly on to the land the Tonge Ward Labour Club plans to build on. The present club is about 300 feet away from the houses.

And residents fear that the new location will cut out light to their homes and mean that noise of music will be much worse.

Robert Greenwood, a resident of nearby Tonge Park Avenue for six years, said: "We have approached the council and aired our views but we are fighting a losing battle. No-one wants to listen to us." There is also a retirement home which the new building will come very close to and residents estimate about six homes will be severely affected by the new club's location.

Cllr Frank White, a trustee of the club, said: "We have taken professional advice about the design of the club.

"That includes obeying regulations about light deprivation of the properties and extra sound proofing of the new building. In fact the new club will be much better than the one we've got at the moment.

"The houses will be screened from the car park traffic by the new building which will also cut down noise levels and intrusion."

Cllr White said the club's trustees were willing to meet with the residents to discuss their fears. But Joe Chadwick, whose property is closest to the boundaries of the new club, said: "We've got no representation, we've been kept at arm's length until the plans have gone to the committee. We're talking about our quality of life, but we're getting nowhere.

"I've been told point blank by one councillor that the club will be built no matter what."

Mr Chadwick also expressed fears that any resident wanting to move house to escape the noise would find it difficult to sell their houses because of the close proximity of the new club. The residents presented a petition to the council's planning sub-committee on January 10 protesting against the plans and have written to Labour leader, Tony Blair. They are awaiting a response to an appeal to the Department for the Environment.

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