CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 100 homes have been delayed.

Councillors sitting on a planning committee have decided they needed to visit the proposed site to the south of Bee Fold Lane, Atherton.

The application received 119 letters of objection from residents — including from several councillors and Leigh MP Andy Burnham — and two petitions with a combined total of 640 signatures.

Barbara Constantine spoke on behalf of Aspect, a campaign group opposed to the proposals.

She told the committee the group thinks the application should be rejected as it is not included in the core strategy agreed by Wigan Council and would therefore “be going against the recommendation of the inspector”.

Ms Constantine added: “The only access to the site is from Hamilton Street. This is a 20mph road with speed humps — not 30mph as stated in the the application.

“There is also signage at either end that says the road is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles that would be needed for construction.”

Other Concerns raised in the objections included a lack of infrastructure to deal with the increase of people, loss of open space and the stability of the land.

Sarah Jones spoke in support of the application saying the development was in a sustainable area, it would not burden nearby services and 25 per cent of the houses would be affordable and .

She added: “No technical issues with the application have been found by the council officers.

“The land was not included in the core strategy because it was thought that two other sites would come forward.

“They have not come forward as expected and there is a need for deliverable housing sites in the area.”

Council officers have recommended the application be approved but the planning committee unanimously voted in favour of a site visit, which will take place before its next meeting.