Time to clome clean over town development plans THOSE attending the forum at Westhoughton High School on Thursday, June 28, should not be misled by Cllr Guy Harkin.

It's time he and such ilk voted against the planning application for the Edges Farm site at Daisy Hill.

What he (very conveniently) neglected to say in playing to the gallery was that it was his party, the Labour-controlled Council, which invited development of the site by their approving the 1995 Unitary Development Plan.

Viz: 'Edges Farm 8.1ha 220 Dwellings. This land has been allocated for housing development. It is in private ownership. The development of this site will provide scope for the building of a new road to relieve traffic congestion along Hindley Road and Leigh Road at Daisy Hill.

Acting under the instructions and on behalf of the same council -- Senior Bolton Council Solicitor, Mr Mike Chambers, told a public inquiry that, in Westhoughton, there was an almost "unlimited supply" of building land available preferable to land wanted by Barratt at Bradshaw -- (report BEN, Thursday, February 1985) such proposal being for 457 dwellings.

Just to strike a balance, both the Conservative and Labour members of Westhoughton Urban District Council voted for the 1972 Master Plan -- some plan the one Independent member voted against.

Labour have controlled Bolton since 1979, ignoring pleas for a halt or stock taking on development. What the public of Westhoughton are being served up with is a damage limitation exercise or, more appropriately, shutting the door when the horse has gone!

Bolton's culpability in vandalising Westhoughton and selling the town down the SWANee is well documented fact.

Just for once, is it too much to ask that they come clean and admit it -- or does the guilty ear still find truth offensive?

T T Riley

Dixon Street

Westhoughton PARTY POLITICS: It's time Cllr Guy Harkin's party voted against development