HOUSES will be built on land occupied by closed public toilets and former recycling centre.

Wiggett Construction won permission to demolish the disused WCs and garage buildings in Blackhorse Street, Blackrod, from Bolton Council's planning permission yesterday.

The former Blackrod Civic Amenity Site will be razed to make way for 10 semi-detached properties and two detached homes although the public open space known as the village seating area will be retained.

Objector John Price said: "For the town of Blackrod this is a very controversial application.

"This application would take away the only piece of land in the town centre that could be used for other services.

"What would we do if we needed to expand the health centre?"

He raised concerns about the parking and traffic — particularly lorries delivering to the adjacent nursing home — and the impact of occupiers of neighbouring homes.

Blackrod Town Council and Cllr Alan Bury, a Horwich and Blackrod ward councillor, had formally lodged objections and 55 letters of objection have been received from residents.

Wiggett Construction's scheme proposes two fewer houses than a plan approved in June, 2016.

Cllr Robert Allen said: "I have all the sympathy with the residents of Blackrod as there isn't much space in the town centre but the over-riding consideration is that we have already given outline approval for 14 houses."

Councillor Ann Cunliffe, a ward councillor for Horwich and Blackrod, pointed out it was a brownfield site that would save on Green Belt land being developed elsewhere.

The application outlined how each home would get two private parking spaces.

It said the current six public parking spaces off Blackhorse Street would be replaced by nine car spaces — although the applicant was willing to designate two for the nursing home that has nowhere for staff and visitor vehicles at present.

Councillor Elaine Sherrington said: "I'm please to see that this site is going to be used."