AN application to build 15 homes on the site of a former snooker hall in Westhoughton has been submitted.

The plans for the the former Gaiety Club, Church Street, have been submitted by Howard and Seddon Architects who want to build 15 two-bedroom homes with parking and landscaping.

The proposed development will have 33 car parking spaces, bin storage, cycle storage and landscaping.

Previously occupied by Empire Cinema, the land was more recently held by the Gaiety Club but after falling into disrepair and being derelict for nearly 10 years the building was demolished in 2012, with the backing of Westhoughton town councillors.

Labour councillor David Chadwick said that he welcomes the improvement to the site.

He said: “It’s a brownfield site so it is not as though it can be turned down on those grounds.

“But the site really is very derelict. It's an eye sore and anything that improves the area is going to be an improvement for the town centre.

“As far as I am concerned it’s good that we are developing the town centre and making it look more attractive.”

But Liberal Democrat councillor David Wilkinson said the application was a waste of what could have been a much needed commercial site.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "This is a totally unimaginative application.

"They've just thought it's a derelict site so let's stick a few houses on it. We have very few empty places for a commercial premises — this was one of them.

"There was an opportunity to build on this site with some imagination.

"It will do nothing for the town centre and the future of Westhoughton.

"It is currently used as a car park for the Wheatsheaf Pub, other businesses and shoppers.

"The other three car parks in Westhoughton- Ditchfield, Pavillion Square and Bolton Road are full during the day and the loss of this car park will have a detrimental effect on the economy of the town.

"It is an ideal business site. It is a quick smash an grab application and I will be hoping that the town council and Bolton Council will be saying no to it."