A PLAN to create a tourist spot near a sewage works and glue factory has sparked more than 350 objections.

People fear the proposed campsite, on green land near St Saviour Primary School, off Bankfield Street, Ringley, will create traffic chaos and attract travellers.

The site would be in a conservation area which backs on to the school playground, and accommodate five touring caravans and a handful of tent pitches, which do not need planning permission.

Applicant Stanley Bibby, a former Ringley resident, has applied for approval to erect reception, toilet, mess and storage facilities, along with an internal access road, parking area and landscaping.

Bolton Council's planning and highways committee will visit the site next Wednesday and consider the application the following day.

Residents have submitted petitions signed by 303 people and 55 letters of objection.

Craig Dunne, of Scott Street, said he feared for the safety of his children, Connor, aged four, and Lewis, aged three, with the extra vehicles.

Mr Dunne said tankers and HGVs from the sewage works off Fold Road and Itac glue factory on Bankfield Street were already enough to contend with.

He added: "You hear about travellers going to sites like this."

Adrian Moores, of Ashwood, Stoneclough, said: "True campers and caravanners are considerably more choosy than to opt for Ringley when selecting where to holiday.

"I'm concerned it will not be sustainable as a business and will be converted into a campsite for travellers."

Ward member Cllr Derek Burrows pointed out that a £40 million upgrade of the nearby United Utilities sewage treatment plant would add to traffic problems.

He said: "I'm a bit puzzled as to who would want to camp there. I don't think the roads could take the traffic."

Mr Bibby, a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club who lives in Breightmet, said: "It will be used by the club and by Bolton Lads and Girls Club for orienteering.

"We are only talking five caravans and a handful of tents, which will mainly be there at weekends and during school holidays when traffic is not so bad.

"There will be locked gates to prevent anyone else accessing the site."

The council's tourism officer, Barbara Howorth, is backing the application, pointing out there are currently no public caravan parks in the borough.

"We would like to encourage the development of caravan parks and campsites wherever possible," she said.