AN outline application to build 14 detached houses, on land in Westhoughton, has been submitted to Bolton Council.

The proposal relates to land off Dixon Street, close to the Wingates Community Centre, and is currently used for grazing.

At a recent meeting Westhoughton Town Council raised objections to the application, which was submitted on June 1.

The location of the site and its proximity to a wildlife corridor, which is complete with stream, a wetland area and a pond, was highlighted.

The number of protected species on the site and the lack of investigation into biodiversity and wildlife was also an objection.

However a greenspace report, included in the submitted documents, concluded that “there are no habitats significant for the protection of biodiversity” and that the proposed development “would not therefore cause any significant impact upon biodiversity of the area”.

The access to the housing development, which will be off Dixon Street, was also described as “very narrow” with “no parking restrictions”, by town councillors.

The issue of highway safety in regards to the developers' vehicles and the claim that “children play in the street” was also opposed.

In the application, developer, Joseph Jackson & Sons, said: “This site is in a sustainable location in terms of accessibility to local services and facilities, including public transport.

“It is considered that the proposal would cause no adverse effect to the landscape and to visual receptors.”

Any comments on the application can be made online, up until July 19.

They can be submitted at: www.bolton.gov.uk/planapps