NEIGHBOURS of a site earmarked for a new rugby clubhouse have not been consulted about the plans, a resident has claimed.

The concerns relate to a planning application submitted by Westhoughton Lions rugby club for its new home in the Cunningham Road playing fields.

George Valentine, who lives in Cunningham Road, said residents were broadly supportive of the proposal, but were annoyed that they had not been involved in the process.

The 33-year-old said: "None of the residents has been consulted. We have town councillors supporting the application, but we have not been given any opportunity to put our views forward.

"We are the ones who are going to have to live with it. We would like to have a meeting with the council sooner rather than later so we do not get in a tangle. We are supposed to work together."

Mr Valentine said there were some concerns that the residents wanted addressing before the council decides on the application, including parking.

He said: "It is a very short street, a quiet cul de sac so there can be a problem with parking on the street during matchdays and I'm not sure the proposed car park would be big enough.

"There have been at least 100 cars parked here before on matchdays."

But he added: "I have got no problem with the rugby clubhouse being built. I think it is a good idea. I used to work in sport and leisure myself and at the end of the day I would much rather it be that than houses.

"The problem here is that the council have not been in touch with the residents.

"I would be far more supportive of it if the councillors had consulted with us. It is a very short street here with very few residents, so it wouldn't be difficult."

The clubhouse would include a main viewing club room area, kitchen, home and away changing rooms, showers, toilets, disabled facilities, an office, a first-aid room, a plant room and a referee’s room.

There would also be a hardstanding area for pedestrians and car parking.

The plans have been supported by Westhoughton Town Council.

Bolton Council has been contacted for a response to Mr Valentine's concerns.