LEAFLETS promoting a new development in Westhoughton have caused outrage among residents.

They were posted through residents’ doors by Bellway Homes in support of its pending planning application for new homes at Bowlands Hey.

In the flyer, the house builder encourages people to “register their interest today” in their “modern new homes”.

However, residents have been left furious at the implication the 129 homes will be built — as the application is not due before the planning committee until December 15.

Westhoughton town councillor David Wilkinson said: “This planning application is very controversial with many issues. And now residents are quite rightly wondering if the house builder thinks it is a done deal.

“They are furious. People are sending the leaflets back with the free postage envelope and their comments.

“Around 16,000 leaflets have gone out and I think it stinks to say the least that they are basically trying to sell them already.

“It is completely tactless of them.”

The development, if approved, would be on land off Collingwood Way, which would be the access road for vehicles. One of the concerned residents said: “These leaflets have been distributed widely around Westhoughton. The questions we are asking is ‘how can you advertise to sell something that hasn’t been approved?' How can you do that unless you know that it’s a done deal?

“Why would you go to the expense?’

“Everyone is feeling disheartened about it and there is a lot of scepticism about this application.

“We were gearing up for the planning committee meeting but now we feel as though its stacked against us and then it makes it worse when we get literature like that through our door.”

A spokesman for Bellway Homes said: “Once a planning application has been submitted, the onus is on the developers to promote the benefits of their proposals to local communities and so we have distributed leaflets to explain what our scheme would deliver, as well as to ascertain the level of interest in new homes in Westhoughton.

“While we are aware that some residents do not wish to see the site developed for housing, we have already received a positive response from other residents of Westhoughton.

“This reaffirms our belief that there is local demand for new homes.”