THERE are worries that a 21-home scheme to redevelop an old council depot could have a negative impact on neighbours and traffic.

A planning application for the proposed build at the unused site off Park Road, Westhoughton, was recently submitted to Bolton Council, promising an "exciting" regeneration of the area.

But at Monday's meeting of Westhoughton Town Council, a resident neighbouring the site raised concerns about how it could affect those living nearby.

She said: "This application includes houses that are close to my home. My home was built in 1609 and I am concerned that the houses might take away the light in the day time.

"I also don't think there will be enough space for cars to park and it could really affect the roads nearby.

"I just hope that all this is being taken into consideration."

Cllr David Wilkinson pointed out that there was no measurement of distances between the proposed homes and the existing homes, meaning they could not judge how badly it could affect the light for nearby properties.

He said: "Bolton At Home are the applicants so they could look at this design and location of the properties on that particular area of the site.

"There are a number of other issues. Parking in that area is very, very bad. On a good day, some of the roads around there still look like a battlefield.

"It is a reasonable request and I hope they have looked at it and made sure they addressed the concerns."

Cllr Ryan Battersby proposed to recommend the plans for deferral until more information was obtained on the concerns raised and members voted unanimously in agreement.

A statement submitted to Bolton Council with the plans, on behalf of Bolton at Home and the Casey Group, said that the development would “benefit both the new and existing local community and bring new life to the currently vacant site”.

It adds: "The development team including Bolton at Home and Casey are committed to the progression of these proposals and look forward to delivering this high quality housing to the local people at the earliest opportunity.

"This exciting regeneration scheme will benefit both the new and existing local community and bring new life to the currently vacant site."

When outline plans to develop the site were first put forward in 2014, angry neighbours claimed Bolton Council was ignoring their concerns about parking problems in the area.

The new plans are for 19 three-bedroom houses and two two-bed homes, two more than was originally envisioned.