A HOLY row has broken out over the future of a Bolton historical landmark.

Halliwell local history society members are furious that remains of the "Holy Well" which Halliwell was named after is not accessible to the public.

They are locked in a dispute with developers Morris Homes who have built the Whitsters Hollow housing development near the site on Smithills Croft Road.

Mr Barrie Parker, press and publicity officer, says the developers told them that there would be access to the site when the estate was built.

But they have now found out that there will not be a path through from Smithills Croft Road to the spring which is the last remaining part of the Holy Well.

But Mr Michael Gaskell, Morris Homes' managing director said: "We never told them there would be a pathway through.

"This site has not been accessible to the public for 100 years. There was a factory on the site before the estate was built. "All that is left now is a stream and some stones. As far as I know, no-one ever visits it.

"We are hoping to transfer the land near the stream to Bolton Council and then it is up to the local authority whether they want to make this into a local attraction."

But Mr Parker hit back: "This is an important part of Bolton's history. We thought that we had an agreement that they would arrange to keep it open to the public and we are very upset that they have gone back on this.

"When the Brytallium factory was on the site, you could arrange to go through to visit the spring."

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