CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace a children’s play area with social housing have been approved.

Hundreds of residents objected to Bolton at Home’s proposals to build 20 "affordable" properties on a field behind Manchester Road in Blackrod – arguing it would destroy one of the last remaining green spaces in the village for children to play on.

But the application was approved by Bolton Council’s planning committee, with four members voting against it, after the necessity of affordable housing was discussed.

Despite being a green space, the field is not classed as being in the green belt.

Disgruntled members of the public in the gallery branded the decision “absolutely disgusting” and “an absolute disgrace”.

Council planning officers had recommended the committee grant permission for the 18 two-storey homes and two bungalows due an “established shortfall” of affordable housing.

A decision on the proposals was deferred by the committee in March for extra car parking spaces and bin collection areas to be added to the plans.

Blackrod residents said more than 250 letters of objection and a petition containing 100 signatures had been submitted, but council planners put the official number of objections at 124.

During the meeting Simon Halliwell, supporting the proposals, told the committee the site had space for up to 30 homes but only 20 were proposed — meaning the density of properties should be acceptable to neighbours.

But Blackrod town councillor Cllr Stephen Laycock, speaking against the plans, said: “Despite these being family homes, no play area has been considered.

“Why should children in social housing be considered less favourably? And where will the 40 children from the immediate area go to play — will they really have to walk half a mile?”

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: “The plans must be approved so that there is adequate accommodation for the next generation of young people who want to stay in Blackrod.”

Cllr Nick Peel said Bolton Council was under obligation from the government to allocate enough brownfield land for future housing need.

He said if the authority did not do this, housing developers would be able to build on green belt land instead.

Cllr Peel added: “We cannot have it both ways, and unfortunately small pieces of land like this do have to go into the mix.

“I understand not everyone will agree with that, but we have to think of the future."