THE Coal Authority has objected to plans to build 12 homes close to Blackrod Station.

An application was submitted to Bolton Council to construct the dwellings on the site of a former industrial unit in Station Road.

Two previous bids to build on the site were rejected but developers say this project would help reduce the housing shortfall across the borough.

But in its response to the proposal, The Coal Authority said: "The Coal Authority records indicate that within the application site and surrounding area there are coal mining features and hazards which need to be considered in relation to the determination of this planning application, specifically probable historic unrecorded underground coal mining is likely to have taken place beneath the eastern part of the application site."

For more information, search for application number 01247/17 at bolton.gov.uk