CONTROVERSIAL plans for 306 new homes on the former British Aerospace site in Lostock have been approved, sparking anger among residents.

The Persimmon Homes scheme will see 178 houses and 124 apartments built on the former aerospace car park off Lostock Lane and on playing fields belonging to Lostock Sports Club.

It was narrowly approved by Bolton Council's planning and highways committee at the second time of asking on a 12-8 vote, despite opposition from the Liberal Democrat group and three Conservatives.

The plan is part of a larger scheme which includes the Bolton Wanderers Academy and 120,000 sq feet of offices. It also includes 337 parking spaces, a new access road serving Greenhalgh's Bakery and a play area near Ox Hey Lane. Lostock Sports Club is to move to Tempest Road, Chew Moor, in a merger with Ladybridge Sports and Leisure.

The proposal last month suffered a setback after councillors raised fears over what would happen if the sports club's move, which has yet to receive planning permission, hit a stumbling block.

Members also had concerns over increased traffic.

But head of planning Tim Hill told the committee that a planning condition meant the housing scheme would only be allowed to go ahead once approval was granted for the sports club's move.

Mr Hill added that proposed four-storey apartments nearest Alexandra Road had been reduced to two storeys amid fears that they would overlook other properties.

Mike Greenhalgh, chairman of the Lostock Resident's Association, complained that the number of homes had more than trebled from the 88 proposed when outline permission was granted in January, 2003.

Mr Greenhalgh, who said he had requested an Environmental Impact Assessment, added that the developer had not addressed likely congestion problems.

He was backed by Horwich and Blackrod ward member, Cllr Martyn Cox, who called for the scheme to be rejected.

Cllr David Wilkinson, member for Westhoughton South, said he had already been contacted by residents opposed to the sports club's move to Chew Moor.

His Lib Dem colleague Cllr Margaret Rothwell said there should have been a single planning brief covering all proposals for the site.

"I think there are really big problems with this application, and although some are covered by conditions, I'm a bit sceptical about conditions," she said.

But Labour member Cllr Laurie Williamson won support in his call for the plan to be approved.

Cllr Williamson said: "You have to have some sort of compromise between what you would ideally like and what is acceptable. I think this is acceptable."

Cllr Sean Hornby added: "This has gone on for quite some time and we have to make a bold decision."

After the meeting, Mr Greenhalgh told of residents' "anger". He said: "No matter how long this has gone on there are still lots of things wrong with this.

"Dealing with a plan piecemeal like this turns it into a disaster."