WESTHOUGHTON councillors have thrown out a controversial application to build homes on a site earmarked for a new school.

As part of the shake-up of primary schools St John's, Wingates, and Fourgates have been earmarked for closure with both sets of pupils set to move to a new school on land bordered by Church Road and the A6 in Wingates.

Although Bolton Council gave the go-ahead for a one-form entry school to be built off Church Street, Morris Homes - which owns a small piece of the land - has now applied to build 163 homes, a community centre, and an open space, on the site which is in council ownership.

The site is currently designated as land for housing in the Unitary Development Plan, but that plan is now under review, and the site's status has been changed from housing to a school.

Town councillors objected to the development, not only because it would jeopardise the new school, but on congestion grounds.

Leader of the council, David Wilkinson said: "We threw it out because of access and traffic issues, and also because of the impact on residents."

But he said he was concerned that if Morris Homes dangled enough cash in front of Bolton Council, they would take the bait.

He said: "I still can't understand this planning application. Why would a building firm, who knows that this land is earmarked for a new school spend nearly £5,000 on putting in an application that has no chance? Would anyone in their right mind do that? I don't think they would and that's why I'm really suspicious about this."

He went on: "So why is a developer wasting this money?"

"I am extremely suspicious. Twelve months ago there was no talk of school closures and then just weeks after the local elections they announced the closures of both Wingates and Fourgates.

"So when Bolton council say no way about this site going to developers I just can't believe them."

He said he would like to know what the council has earmarked for a piece of land it owns North of the A6 on Manchester Road between Aireworth Street and Slack Lane.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "I won't be happy until I have got to the bottom of this as yet I have had no answers."

Morris Homes refused to comment on the application.