GOVERNMENT minister Sajid Javid met with a community group in Horwich to hear its concerns over the development of the former Loco Works.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Bolton West Tory candidate Chris Green were told by Horwich First members that they are worried about the lack of a masterplan for the site and surrounding infrastructure.

Permission was granted in 2014 for the site to be redeveloped into a 1,700-house estate.

Mr Javid, who also visited Alliance Learning, said: “It was good to meet up with Chris and the Horwich First action group, who want to see sensible building plans at the former Loco Works.

“Local authorities should be prioritising brownfield sites and I know Chris has been working hard with the local community to fight to ensure that plans submitted by the council are sensible and any developments only happen when the infrastructure needed to support such schemes are in place.”