A DEVELOPER'S appeal against the rejection of a 58-home plan for Westhoughton has angered locals fed up with the loss of the town's green spaces.

Hollins Wingates resubmitted the proposed development for Hartley's Farm in Wingates Lane at the end of February, just three months after the planning committee threw out the original plans.

A statement submitted with the new application revealed that decision had now gone to appeal, which has been confirmed by Bolton Council.

The revelation comes just months after two proposed developments for Westhoughton were approved on appeal — 300 homes at Lee Hall and 129 homes at Bowlands Hey.

The move by the developer has angered people in the town.

Cllr David Chadwick, Westhoughton South representative, said: "I am just getting very frustrated with developers who want to build on greenfield sites around Westhoughton.

"It has just got absolutely ridiculous. If everything was up to the developers, then we would have houses from Atherton right up to the M61.

"The other thing that frustrates me is that we go to appeal and the inspector shows no real cognisance of the lack of infrastructure.

"Wingates Lane is a narrow road and it is busy enough now without another 58 homes on it.

"I am just absolutely fed up."

Cllr Zoe Kirk-Robinson, who represents Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, said: "This application was refused with good reason and is now at the appeal stage.

"The fact that the developers have now resubmitted it to the Council tells me the developers know it is likely to be refused again at appeal, so they are attempting to circumvent that in a blatant show of disregard for due process.

"This further demonstrates the callous regard developers have for the Westhoughton community."

A spokesman from Bolton Council confirmed a new application had been submitted by the developer.

They added: "We can confirm that the planning inspectorate has received an appeal from the developer for the application which was previously refused by the planning committee."