CONTROVERSIAL plans to build apartments on the site of the former Swallowfield hotel are likely to go ahead without a requirement for affordable housing, a meeting of Horwich Town Council heard tonight.

Developers Redrow Homes were given planning permission to build 42 two-bedroom apartments on the derelict site in Chorley New Road back in 2007, on the agreement it would give four flats away to a social housing provider.

Building on the site stalled in 2008 due to the economic downturn and Redrow asked for permission to reduce its payment towards affordable housing, instead offering the council £50,000 to build affordable houses elsewhere, but in June Bolton Council’s planning committee voted to keep the original agreement in place.

The developers are awaiting the result of an appeal of the planning committee’s decision, which is expected to be delivered on September 24.

Speaking at a meeting of Horwich Town Council, leader Kevin McKeown said he believed the appeal would go in favour of the developers.

He said: “The Swallowfield site is a complete mess and I would like to see a conclusion to it.

“If affordable housing is included then that is great, but I am not convinced that will happen, I suspect it won’t after reading about similar cases recently.”

Redrow have submitted a new application for minor changes to the floor layouts and elevations in anticipation of a positive result from the appeal.

Horwich Town Council voted through a proposal to recommend that the latest plans are accepted but to suggest that Bolton Council defer any decision until the appeal result has been heard.