CONTROVERSIAL plans to create a tourist spot near a school, sewage works and glue factory have been rejected by Bolton Council.

More than 350 residents objected to the proposed campsite on open land near St Saviour Primary School, off Bankfield Street, Ringley, fearing it would cause traffic chaos and attract travellers.

Applicant Stanley Bibby had applied to erect a reception area, toilet, mess and storage facilities to serve five touring caravans. He also planned a number of tent pitches which do not themselves need planning permission.

But the council's planning and highways committee backed planning officer, Helen Williams, who recommended refusal of the scheme because the site was protected as a conservation area.

Former councillor, Guy Harkin, who will be Labour's candidate for Kearsley in May's local election, spoke on behalf of residents.

Mr Harkin criticised council highways officials who raised no objection to the scheme so long as the access road was at least 5.5m wide.

Residents, who submitted petitions signed by 303 people and 55 letters of objection, said tankers and HGVs from the sewage works off Fold Road and Itac glue factory on Bankfield Street meant the roads were already hazardous for their children.

Mr Harkin said: "There's already an enormous amount of traffic and any application which would increase use of that corridor would be unacceptable."

The council's tourism officers backed the application, arguing Bolton currently had no similar facilities.

But Mr Harkin said: "The idea this would be a successful tourist facility is absurd."

Kearsley ward representative, Cllr Margaret Rothwell, added: "When someone turns up at the site how will we know whether they are holiday makers or travellers?

"Even if the gates are locked that has not stopped travellers accessing other sites."

After councillors unanimously rejected the application, Mr Bibby, a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club who lives in Breightmet, said he plans to appeal.

Mr Bibby, a former Ringley resident, says he has tidied up the derelict land since acquiring it in 1982 and claims the facilities would be used by the caravanning club and by Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

He said: "The gate would be locked and there would be no intention on my part to allow any other use."