BOLTON West MP Chris Green is urging residents to ‘save Westhoughton’ from being overrun with housing.

Mr Green has responded to reports from The Bolton News that developer Peel Land and Property has prepared plans to build 1,700 new homes on green fields near to the Chequerbent roundabout.

The proposals from part of a ‘call for sites’ organised by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority as part of a Spatial Framework strategy — which asked developers to put forward potential areas for house building in a bid to meet the conurbation’s growing housing needs.

However, since The Bolton News report, the Conservative MP said he has been ‘inundated’ with concerns from people who are worried about the impact any further building could have on the Westhoughton area.

He has now launched an online petition against the proposals and is asking local people to sign it.

Mr Green said: “Our roads, schools, health services and public transport are already creaking under the strain of too many houses as it is – these houses could mean another 6,000 people and an extra 3,500 cars on the road and we just wouldn’t be able to cope. Enough is enough.

“This spatial framework should be looking to redevelop brownfield sites in Manchester, not going for the easy targets like our green spaces.”

He said he wanted to put pressure on Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris who told The Bolton News that he would be able to veto any plans that he and the authority were not happy were included in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Mr Green added: “Our council leader has said he could veto these plans for 1,700 houses if he didn’t agree with them.

“That’s why I’m asking residents to help me show him that we do not want these houses by signing my petition.”

Showing support for Mr Green’s campaign, Westhoughton North Cllr Zoe Kirk-Robinson, added: "I fully support Chris Green in this campaign. Westhoughton has borne more than its fair share of house building for Bolton and to expect us to take on the burden of Manchester as well is simply asking far too much.

"If Cllr Morris has the power to veto this, he must use it. There are other options available, building on the Green Belt should be a last resort, not a first option."

To sign the petition, visit: savewesthoughton.wordpress.com/