PLANS to build 174 homes on greenfield land in Westhoughton will be scrutinised by town councillors next week.

The proposed development from Bellway Homes would create a new estate on land at The Fairways. The build would signal the second phase of the Bowlands Hey development after 129 homes were approved for the scheme last year.

The plans will be discussed by members of Westhoughton Town Council its forthcoming meeting at the town hall on Monday.

They will decide whether to recommend it for approval or refusal when it goes before Bolton Council's planning committee.

The proposed build has caused outrage among residents since the planning application was submitted earlier this month.

Cllr David Chadwick, Westhoughton South representative on Bolton Council, said: “I am just completely speechless. It is just open season on green fields around Westhoughton. It is just crazy, absolutely crazy. I do not think the schools can cope with it and the doctors cannot cope with it.

“As far as I am concerned, I am very much against it and I will be trying to get it refused by the council’s planning committee.”