AN MP has hit out after Bolton Council withdrew its objection to a 110-home development on land in Blackrod during a public inquiry.

Bolton Council's planning committee had rejected the plans, put forward by Manchester based developers Hollins Strategic Land.

The developer later appealed and a public inquiry was held last month.

But council lawyers decided to withdraw the authority's objection to the development in order to save on legal costs.

An independent inspector will now compile a report following the hearing and decide the future of the site.

However council chiefs are not confident of success following the withdrawal of its original objection.

Residents and councillors in Blackrod had united in their opposition to the plans, attending meetings of Blackrod Town Council to voice their feelings.

Campaigners are unhappy because the development is on greenfield land.

They also have concerns about parking and access issues.

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: "Many local residents objected to this development with good reasons, and they will be very disappointed that Bolton Council could not mount any kind of argument against it.

"Residents are aware of the huge Horwich Loco Works development, which will feature 1,700 houses, and the Armstrong's development which will be another 400, and this will bring a lot of pressure on nearby roads.

"The council has to ensure that we will have the right improvements in place."

A council spokesman said: "The planning inquiry has now concluded. We still have reservations about this development but we were forced to concede the hearing to save high legal costs, and we now await the inspector's final decision in due course."

In plans for the site announced on its website, the developers claimed the council was not meeting housing supply requirements and is relying on out-of-date housing projections.

The plans show that each house will have enough off-street parking and that the proposed landscaping will ensure that cars do not dominate street scenes.

The developers also say that 35 per cent of the proposed dwellings will be affordable housing.