A MASSIVE Westhoughton housing scheme has been turned down - because the roads can't cope with any more traffic.

M-kn a dramatic U-turn, Bolton councillors refused applications from Redrow homes to build 183 detached houses at Edges Farm between Leigh Road and Woodward Road at Daisy Hill.

The land has been earmarked for housing for more than 20 years and this was re-inforced in the latest unitary development planning blueprint.

Tory deputy leader Cllr Derek Shepherd warned planning control councillors: "You haven't a hope in hell of winning an appeal."

But all three Westhoughton ward councillors supported the decision.

Vice-chairman Labour Cllr Peter Finch said everyone thought that the Westhoughton by-pass route 5225 would be underway by now when it was originally allocated for housing.

"The traffic congestion is horrendous already. The roads can't cope."

Liberal Democrat Cllr David Wilkinson said it would be "madness" to approve the plans: "There are about 450 homes being built in the Daisy Hill area and another 200 just isn't on.

"I am a governor at the parochial school, and if we have to take any more children, we will have to hang them on the coat pegs because there is nowhere else to put them!"

Tory Cllr George Twist added: "The roads just cannot cope with any additional housing."

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