BUILDERS will begin work on 300 new homes off Crompton Way in the next few weeks.

The houses are being built by developers Taylor Wimpey and Bellway Homes on an industrial site in Tong Moor which was once home to the metal forging factory.

The development, which will be launched on April 25, will be made up of two, three and four bedroom homes including a mix of semi-detached and detached properties which will be built over a period of two to three years.

Councillors gave permission for the development last August and some concerns were initially raised about traffic to an from the site.

The housing scheme, which has the backing of government incentive Help-to-Buy, which offers eligible buyers the opportunity to secure a new property up to the value of £600,000 with just a five per cent deposit, has also provided investment into the local community worth in excess of £500,000.

Local councillor Hanif Darvesh is not convinced the development is what Crompton needs.

Cllr Darvesh said: "It will be a grand development that will match developments near to it, there's no question about that, but my priority is and always will be to provide jobs.

"The development site was a quality commercial piece of land and it should have been protected as an employment site.

"Getting people decent jobs that pay well is after all what gives them the confidence to buy the houses. It is a grand scheme but when you consider a grand scheme in comparison to the need for employment there is no question.

"If it was an affordable housing scheme versus the need for employment well that would be a worth while debate but I believe that there will only be a few affordable units on the site."

The site will be split into two housing schemes with Taylor Wimpey's half, which has been named Spinning Green, featuring 160 homes, while Bellway’s development to be known as Cotton Meadows, will comprise of 149 homes.

Chloe Dunn, associate sales director at Taylor Wimpey Manchester, said: “We haven’t had a development in the Bolton area for some time and are thrilled to be working with Bellway on this exciting new project.

Louise Ward, sales director at Bellway Homes, said: "Cotton Meadows will offer a range of well-designed three and four bedroom properties, which will appeal to first-time-buyers, families and those looking to downsize."

For more information on the new homes at Spinning Green or to register your interest, please visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk.

For further information regarding Cotton Meadows at Crompton Village or to register your interest, please contact Bellway Homes on 01925 882900 or visit www.bellway.co.uk.