HORWICH town councillors have recommended approval for an outline planning application for 1700 homes to be built on the former Horwich loco works site.

A proposal was put forward by Cllr Kevin McKeon who suggested that the plans, from developers Horwich Vision, should be generally supported by the town council but that assurances should be asked for regarding the impact on transport in the area and the removal of contaminated items.

A public meeting on Monday heard concerns from residents about the volume of traffic that could come to the area with the development and the unknown amount of products such as asbestos and cyanide that may remain on the loco works site.

Cllr McKeon said: "I propose that we accept this outline application in principle as there are real economic benefits and it will get rid of a contaminated site.

"But I would suggest conditions are included that the planners must be confident of the removal of all the contamination and secondly that they ensure some transport mitigation."

The cllrs also discussed controversial plans to knock down the Bolton College Horwich campus in Victoria Road, to make way for 140 homes, but agreed to defer making a recommendation until the next town council meeting.