A NEW school could be built as part of plans to develop a 1,700-home town on the site of the former Horwich Loco Works.

Town hall chiefs are in talks with the developer about providing education for the children of families moving into the 1,700 new homes.

Proposals to develop the estate were given the green light in September and concerns were raised about the pressure the it would create on the local infrastructure.

Plans for a school were first mooted in 2013 in a council document, which stated a new two form primary school “may be required to accommodate the additional places arising from the former development of the Horwich Loco Works” it added that a site of up to around two hectares, which includes playing fields, buildings and a car park, could be needed — and should be provided through private sector funding.

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “We are in discussions with the developer around the section 106 agreement and how the funding for education provision could be used.

“The funding from the developer could be used for a range of options such as expanding existing schools, or providing a new school, and negotiations are on-going.”

The Bolton News has previously reported that the developers will be putting £9.7 million towards education provision, although at that time there were no plans for a school be built on the site.

Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Martin expressed concerns at the time of building so many houses without a school on the site.

The plans for the site, which could take up to 15 years to complete, have been handed to the council’s director of development and regeneration Keith Davies to iron out any issues and planning conditions after which work can start.

Developers Horwich Vision submitted the application in 2013 and since then Horwich residents have raised concerns about issues including sporting facilities and education.