PLANS to develop part of the former Horwich Loco Works site have been deferred.

Developers Hong Kong Racing Ltd applied to Bolton Council to develop their 3.5 hectare section of the total 75 hectare site, to build up to 130 new houses, parks and a mix of buildings with commercial and community uses.

But planning officers within the authority urged councillors on the planning committee to reject the application, over fear that the new scheme wouldn’t work with the other plans put forward by Horwich Vision.

Under that application, approved in September last year, the new ‘Rivington Chase’ development will have 1,700 new homes, 20 acres of employment space and 50 acres of open land for leisure use.

Planning officer Jon Berry told councillors that he felt that there was a lack of ‘coordination and collaboration’ between Hong Kong Racing and Horwich Vision, which would mean the two applications wouldn’t compliment each other.

“Our greatest concern about this is that these application are ‘piggy backing’ on the master plan”, he told councillors.

After suggesting a collaboration deal between Horwich Vision and Hong Kong Racing, representatives from the application agreed to defer making a decision on the application.

Tim Waverly, who attended the planning committee to represent Hong Kong Racing, said: “This is the first time I have heard the request for a collaboration agreement.

“It is certainly something I can put back to the developer, and so it is appropriate to defer so that I can put back to my client that particular request.”

The Bolton News reported in July last year how the council was accused of having a ‘hidden agenda’ after separate plans for the Loco Works were dismissed, a claim dismissed by the leader of Horwich Town Council at the time.

Cllr Norman Critchley told the committee on Thursday he believed the best solution for the whole development was for the owners of all the land to work together.

“I do believe it is absolutely vital that it goes ahead as one comprehensive scheme, and with that I would vote deferment”, he said.

“I would need to hear a lot of persuasive arguments to change my mind.”