A DEVELOPER hoping to create a new employment hub on a greenfield site has revealed it could deliver hundreds of jobs for the local area.

The Harworth Group, which is responsible for the Logistics North development, is proposing to create the new site on green space to the west of Wingates Industrial Estate.

Further details about the plans are yet to emerge but Harworth will be holding two public consultation events in July.

A spokesman for the Harworth Group said: "We're asking local residents to come to either one of two events in early July to look over a proposal for using land near junction six of the M61 for future employment uses, principally for manufacturing and distribution.

"What we've shown at Logistics North is that we are a responsible land developer that delivers on its promises to deliver jobs to Bolton and Greater Manchester whilst also delivering community benefits, including the 550-acre Cutacre Country Park.

"With Logistics North now around 18 months away from being full, we plan to use our experience to deliver another high-quality employment scheme which could deliver several hundred new jobs for the borough.

"Any plans, as at Logistics North, will also include an effective buffer between existing settlements and any development that comes forward.

"We also want to stress that our plans are not finalised and we need local people to come and view the plans in person and to speak to us direct.

"This is why we are holding two consultation events at the Macron and we look forward to hearing from people further."

The two consultation events will take place on Monday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 3 from 3pm to 7pm in the Platinum Suite at the Bolton Whites Hotel.

A leaflet about the consultation event circulated to residents said: "Members of staff from Harworth Group will explain why it is bringing forward plans to develop land for new employment space at Wingates close to junction six of the M61.

"This will include details of technical work done to date and how the site relates to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

"They will also be on hand to take questions so that residents are fully informed on how any view will be accounted for and the work required before any planning application is submitted to Bolton Council."

Cllr Christine Wild, who represents Westhoughton North and Chew Moor on Bolton Council, said: "The area is under pressure from house building as well at the moment.

"It is a large area that they are proposing and there is a consultation event. I we just need to go to the consultation and we find out more information we can't really say anything.

"But I think it is very important for people to go down to the event. I know the leaflets have been circulated to businesses and residents.

"It needs to be wider than just the residents around the area. There are a lot of people in Wingates who are very interested in what is going on."

A community group has been created in an effort to fight the plans called Fourgates and Wingates: Keep our Fields for the Future.

The latest proposal follows on from several developments that have been either planned or accepted in the Westhoughton area.

Plans were revealed recently for 58 homes in Hartley's Farm, which were deferred by Bolton Council's planning committee.

And there are currently 129 homes being constructed at Bowlands Hey as well as 300 at Lee Hall after developers won planning permission on appeal last year.