A £3 MILLION housing development which politicians claim will build a brighter future for the surrounding area has begun to rise on the site of a former grot-spot.

Wasteland on the site of the former Marsh Fold Mill, off Chorley Old Road, was a constant source of complaint from residents concerned the litter-strewn land was blighting their area.

Halliwell ward councillors and Bolton North-east MP David Crausby hailed a 33 home development as the end to around 15 years of frustration - and the opening of a new chapter for the area.

Mr Crausby said: "We are delighted to see some action at last.

"It's what the residents wanted and it really does demonstrate that if people aren't happy about something they should complain to their elected representatives.

"I think this will improve the whole area and provide much-needed rented housing."

Cllr Linda Thomas said the council had spent years putting pressure on the landowner to sell the site.

She said: "This should help build confidence in the area. It's somewhere that we local councillors were always having complaints about. It really blighted to whole area."

The North British Housing (NBH) development will consist of a 'family friendly' mix of two, three and four bedroom houses designed to strengthen community spirit in the area.

Two homes will be specially wheelchair adapted for disabled tenants.

Hugh Balfour, NBH chairman, said: "There's a demand for bigger houses in the area which isn't catered for in the area. We thought it was interesting site."

NBH, along with its contractor William Hargreaves, was awarded a £1.3 million Government grant earlier this month towards the cost of the project. The new homes at Marsh Fold Lane are expected to be finished by this Christmas.

The housing association manages more than 45,000 homes across the country.