WORK has restarted on a controversial new housing development.

Anti-social behaviour on the site, off Park Road, in Little Lever, has twice forced progress to come to a halt, most recently in May.

Developer Great Places Housing Association said it was not safe for contractors Galliford Try to continue working on the site after incidents of vandalism and verbal abuse.

But there were counter claims of anti-social behaviour from residents, who alleged security on the site were hostile towards them.

In July a public meeting was called by Little Lever ward councillors and representatives of Galliford Try and Great Places attended to listen to residents’ concerns.

But compromise was thin on the ground and a mooted second meeting failed to materialise.

Fencing around the site, where 25 new affordable homes will be built, was put up early this week.

And to date there appears to be have been no repeat of the previous trouble.

But Cllr Sean Hornby said concerns old tensions could be reignited still remained.

He said: “There were gangs coming in that were not necessarily off the estate causing damage and road safety is a major concern.”

He added there was still ill feeling from the public meeting he chaired at Hardy Hall in July.

He said: “Residents feel they have got absolutely nothing from them. They came to a public meeting and we heard nothing from that day to the day they sent a letter out explaining they would be proceeding with the development exactly as the planning application and with no alteration.” He added that the manner in which the work has recommenced had already ‘annoyed’ councillors and residents.

He said: “The CCTV has not been put up and the security guards are not there.

“They started work on Monday and it has taken then two or three days to put the fencing up.”

A spokesman for Galliford Try Partnerships said: “We place a high value on developing a positive relationship with the local communities in which we build. We are always prepared to work with residents, councillors and the local police to address any concerns about our site operations. Our teams on site are briefed to work co-operatively with residents.”

“Our build programme remains on target.”