I WRITE to answer some of the questions put by Shirley Sharples about future development in Horwich (“Any truth about plans?” February 13). I guess the information she has been hearing concerns the Draft Allocations Plan being worked on by council officials.

There has been some misunderstanding about this, with some people thinking it is a finalised plan for widespread and imminent building. It is not.

Last March, Bolton Council adopted a core strategy that set out a planning framework for the borough, establishing planning guidelines up to 2026.

As part of this process, the council needs to identify sites where such things as housing and industrial development might take place in the future.

The areas identified for potential housing development in Horwich were produced in map form in the autumn and consultation followed. The plan was taken to an area forum and copies were put in the library and on the council website.

Ward councillors have passed on our views and we have had meetings with residents’ groups. Brazley, Newchapel and Claypool residents’ associations leafleted their areas, urging residents to respond.

It is not true that greenbelt land will be affected by the Allocations Plan and the 1,700 houses Ms Sharples has heard about probably refers to planned development on the old Loco Works site, which is not included in the plan. I am sorry Ms Sharples has only recently heard about the consultation but I assure her she will have another chance later in the year to have her say.

The plan will not be finalised and adopted until next year. In the meantime she and other residents can find out about the core strategy and the Allocations Plan on the council website. She is also very welcome to discuss this with me or any of my ward colleagues.

Cllr Kevin McKeon Labour member for Horwich North East