BOLTON Council has come under fire for withdrawing part of its opposition to controversial plans to build 300 homes on protected land in Westhoughton.

Persimmon Homes had proposals to build the housing estate on land at Lee Hall rejected by the council but after the developer appealed the decision a public inquiry will be held in the coming weeks.

But ahead of the inquiry, it has been revealed that the council has withdrawn one element of its opposition — believed to focus on the fact that the land in question — which lies between Platt Lane and Manchester Road — is protected.

Council lawyers will instead choose to focus on issues surrounding the impact the development would have on the already congested local road network.

The authority said it will still robustly fight the appeal on other grounds — but local councillors and Bolton West MP Chris Green believe the decision is a “huge mistake.”

Mr Green said: “Westhoughton residents, councillors and I have been united against this development from the very beginning and I think that Bolton Council is making a huge mistake by not standing up to developers.

“It sets a worrying precedent for our other green spaces.”

Westhoughton North Cllr Martyn Cox added: “Our roads, public transport links and schools will simply not be able to cope with this many more houses.

“By withdrawing their objection, Labour-run Bolton Council is showing not only that it doesn’t care about the people of Westhoughton, but also that it is not fit for purpose.”

The Conservatives have also drawn parallels with a recent inquiry in Blackrod, when the council fully withdrew its opposition to a plan to build 110 homes in Hill Lane, meaning the development will go ahead.

Westhoughon Town Councillor David Wilkinson said: “"Hundreds of Westhoughton residents have made their voices extremely clear yet they have chosen to ignore the views of so many.

"We will continue to fight this all the way until that planning inquiry."

A council spokesman said: “The council remains committed to opposing this particular development for a range of very strong reasons.

“Following a recent hearing, we have withdrawn one element of our opposition but we will still contest this appeal robustly on other grounds.”

The public inquiry will be taking place from Tuesday, July 5 at 10am in Library Lecture Theatre 1 in Bolton Central library.

It is expected to last for four days.