CONCERNS have been raised after plans for the building of 110 homes in Blackrod were revealed.

Manchester based developers Hollins Strategic Land has revealed a plan for the development on land off Hill Lane, near Blackrod Church School, on its website.

A spokesman said more information would be available once a formal planning application has been submitted to Bolton Council.

The land is not part of the green belt, but councillors said they expect to receive objections from nearby residents on Hill Lane and Little Scotland.

A statement on the developers' website said: "The scheme will provide a broad range of market and affordable homes for local people.

"The development will provide a network of high quality open spaces through the site alongside ecological enhancement measures such as hedgerow retention, pond creation and new native tree planting.

"The proposal will help contribute to the urgent need for new housing in a highly sustainable location outside the green belt."

Cllr Ann Cunliffe, a Blackrod town councillor and a member of Bolton Council's planning committee, said: "It is on protected open land and the development is contrary to the environmental planning policy for Bolton Council.

"It is not in the council's allocation plan and nobody expected that this site would be used for housing.

"Residents of Blackrod are rightly very disturbed to learn of this planning application."

Cllr Graham Farrington said that a previous planning application for the site had been thrown out, and expected similar concerns to be raised about this development.

He said: "There are going to be a lot of objections from people, particularity those living in Hill Lane and Little Scotland, because they have a lovely view to Wigan which will be blocked by houses if this goes through.

"The area is not part of the green belt so it was always going to be a matter of time before it was developed — especially with the need for housing.

"It's a very desirable area to live in, and the people that live near by are going to be very reluctant to see it built on."

Blackrod resident John Price, who recently led a campaign against a controversial plan to replace a children's play area with social housing on a field behind Manchester Road, said he was concerned about more developments being proposed in the village.

He said: "We were very concerned with the Manchester Road plans, not just because it involved the loss of a play area and the loss of green space, but that it may be the start of more building plans.

"We have to develop, I know, but with these developments it is worrying whether Blackrod will have the facilities to cater for this development, be it schools or medical facilities.

"It seems like Blackrod is turning into a town, rather than the village we know."